Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on Tuesday signed for German second-division side Schalke, the latest in a series of clubs as he tries to revive his career.
After more than six years after a disastrous Champions League final sent his career spiraling downward, Karius is seeking a new start.
Karius has bounced around teams in England, Germany and Türkiye but has failed to secure significant game time.
The 31-year-old was widely criticised following an error-ridden performance in Liverpool‘s 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2018, his last match for the club, though he remained under contract there until 2022.
Five days after the match, Karius was diagnosed with concussion, having collided with Real defender Sergio Ramos.
Most recently he was with Premier League club Newcastle but has been a free agent since his contract expired in July 2024.
READ ALSO: Barcelona defender Martinez sidelined for four weeks
Without a club since he was released, the 31-year-old Karius is now heading back to his native Germany with Schalke, which is struggling in the second division after years of financial problems.
Karius has signed a contract until the end of the season, Schalke said, but he isn’t guaranteed to play.
“Loris is fit and can start training with the team straight away,” the club’s sporting director Youri Mulder said, but added he was only the “challenger” for now behind first-choice keeper Justin Heekeren.
“Schalke are a big club with passionate fans,” Karius said in a statement, adding “I’m looking forward to training with the team.”Karius joins fallen giants Schalke, who are also looking for an upturn in fortunes.
One of Germany’s biggest clubs with seven top-flight titles, Schalke sit just six points above the relegation play-off place in the German second division.
Having arrived in Gelsenkirchen for a medical on Friday, Karius is expected to be Schalke’s back-up ‘keeper behind Justin Heekeren.
