BBC SPORT | AFRICA | Agali makes �2.5m move to Schalke

Nigeria international striker Victor Agali has signed for title-chasing Schalke for �2.5m from Bundesliga rivals Hansa Rostock.

The 22-year-old will switch clubs on July 1 after signing a two-year contract, and will have high hopes of playing in the Champions League.

Schalke, who were early season leaders, have battled back after a slump and are only a point behind leaders Bayern Munich.

Agali is in his third season at Rostock, and has become something of a cult figure after helping the former East German club defy the odds and stay in the top flight, something they look like doing again.

Victor is a great header of the ball and extremely quick for a man of his size

Huub Stevens, Schalke coach

Although never a prolific scorer, managing 17 goals in 63 games for Rostock, Agali has a knack of contributing vital efforts and also plenty of chances for his strike partners.

After missing much of the early domestic season due to going on Olympic duty, Agali has come back after the winter break to form a formidable partnership with Togo's Bachirou Salou as four wins in five games virtually secured safety.

Extremely quick

Agali was called up by Nigeria after his Olympic form and managed three goals in his first two games, though he will miss the April 21 World Cup qualifier in Sierra Leone due to injury.

agali
Agali has become a firm favourite at Rostock
Schalke coach Huub Stevens said: "Victor is a great header of the ball and extremely quick for a man of his size. He will give us a lot more attacking options."

General manager Rudi Assauer added: "There's hardly a defender in the Bundesliga who enjoys playing against Victor. His arrival will strengthen our squad and give us more options."

A delighted Agali said: "At Schalke I will have the opportunity of getting a few games in Europe. And the Arena AufSchalke is fantastic - it will be great to play in front of 60,000 fans."

Despite consistently under-performing since last winning the league in 1958, Schalke remained well-supported and have come back to prominence since a shock Uefa Cup win in 1997 when they beat Inter Milan.

The Blues will be Agali's fourth club in Europe after moving from FC Nitel Lagos at home to a brief spell at Marseille, then on to Toulon before joining Rostock.


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