OFFICIAL: Juventus have completed the signing of German defender Benedikt Howedes from Schalke on a one-year loan deal, with an obligation to buy.

Statement of Juventus

Juventus announces the agreement with FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 for the temporary acquisition, until 30 June 2018, of the registration rights of the player Benedikt Howedes has been finalized for a consideration of €3.5m, to be paid within 15 September 2017.

Juventus has the right to definitively acquire the player starting from 1 July 2018, or will be obliged to do so if the player completes 25 or more appearances during 2017/18 football season, for a consideration of €13m, to be paid in two financial years.

The permanent transfer fee may increase for a maximum €3m on achieving challenging team performances within 30 June 2020.

Howedes started playing football for his hometown club TuS Haltern in 1994. In 2001, he was transferred to the youth teams of FC Schalke 04. In 2003, he became captain of Schalke's under-19 team and as a member of that team he won the Under 19 Bundesliga in 2006.

In September 2007, the German Football Association honoured Howedes with the Fritz Walter Medal as the best player of his age-group for the 2006–07 season.

In January 2007, he signed a professional contract with Schalke, which ran until 30 June 2010, he then joined Schalke's Bundesliga squad in July. Until October 2007, however, he only played for Schalke's second team in the Oberliga (fourth division).

Howedes' first professional match was in the Champions League on 3 October 2007. Later, on 10 December 2008, Howedes extended his contract which will keep him at the club until 30 June 2014. On 23 July 2011, Höwedes became captain of Schalke.

On 9 March 2013, Howedes extended his contract with Schalke, until 30 June 2017.