Soccer

Schalke make Nastasic loan move permanent

Former Manchester City defender was unable to impress Manuel Pellegrini

Schalke have announced they have signed defender Matija Nastasic from Manchester City on a deal until June 2019. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA
Schalke have announced they have signed defender Matija Nastasic from Manchester City on a deal until June 2019. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA
Wed Mar 11 2015 - 13:05

Schalke 04 have signed Serbian defender Matija Nastasic on a long-term contract until 2019, making permanent his loan move from Manchester City, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday.

“I am proud and happy to remain a Schalke player,” the 21-year-old said in a club statement.

The deal comes a day after Schalke beat Real Madrid 4-3 in the Spanish capital but missed out on a Champions League last eight spot after their 2-0 loss in the first leg.

The tall defender joined City as a teenager in 2012 on a five-year deal but was unable to force his way into Manuel Pellegrini's side having previously impressed as a regular under former manager Roberto Mancini. In total he made 32 appearances for the club after joining from Italian side Fiorentina.

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Nastasic made just one appearance for City this season, in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal in August. He joined Schalke in January and the club currently sit in fifth place in the German league, three points of third place.