Schalke secures long-term Karius deal

Schalke 04 have extended goalkeeper Loris Karius' contract ahead of schedule, keeping one of the leaders of its promotion-winning side at the club until June 2028, the Royal Blues announced on Tuesday.

The agreement rewards a season in which Karius became a central figure in Schalke's return to the Bundesliga. The 32-year-old made 30 league appearances, kept 13 clean sheets and helped the team build the division's strongest defence.

Schalke said the former Germany youth international had been an essential pillar of the side, whose defensive record underpinned their promotion campaign. The club had pushed for the extension for several weeks, with sporting chief Frank Baumann previously saying Schalke had made an improved offer and stretched themselves to keep a player who still had one year left on his deal.

"Loris has made a decisive contribution to our success with his consistently strong performances as a reliable last line of defence," director of professional football Youri Mulder said. "The team can rely on him. Especially in tight matches, he repeatedly made the difference with decisive saves and secured important points."

Karius, who joined Schalke in January 2025 after a spell without a club, has now made 35 competitive appearances for the Gelsenkirchen side. His rise has been striking after a difficult start, when he displaced Justin Heekeren in goal but suffered a serious muscle injury in his fourth match and missed the rest of that season.

Schalke's trust was not shaken. Karius ultimately became their undisputed number one and a senior voice in the dressing room, performances that have now lifted him into the club's group of top earners.

"Last season showed what we can achieve as a team with unity, energy and focus," Karius said. "That is why I decided with full conviction to extend my contract. I am really looking forward to the new season and the return to the Bundesliga."

Karius has played 285 senior competitive matches, including 95 Bundesliga games for Mainz and Union Berlin, and reached the 2018 Champions League final with Liverpool after starting all 13 of the Reds' matches in that season's competition.