Weston McKennie Has Extended His Contract at FC Schalke 04
The next promising talent from the Knappenschmiede sees his future in Gelsenkirchen. Previously, the youngster’s contract was due to expire at the end of the 2019/2020 season.
Youth Soccer News: It is always an exciting moment when a U.S. youth international signs a contract with a professional club — and when the brand on his jersey is a highly acclaimed, internationally respected one — it is even more memorable. 19-year-old midfielder Weston McKennie has signed with FC Schalke 04 and will be playing in the Bundesliga squad.
Exclusive Interview with McKennie: WESTON MCKENNIE TALKS SCHALKE
“Weston McKennie will develop into a key part of our first team with us. He has shown in the past few months that he is more than capable of contributing significantly to the future of Schalke,” said Sporting Director, Christian Heidel.
Soccer has always been defined as a team sports and McKennie defines success in soccer as being part of a team that works together and wins together. Starting to play youth soccer when he was 6 years old, American born McKennie moved to Germany when he was a boy.
McKennie’s attitude: “Always working hard and giving it your best.”
When asked what McKennie likes best about Schalke, he said, “The history and the hard work of the club is what I like best. Playing in the Bundesliga requires more thinking as the speed of play is faster.”
“Thanks to his talent and his willingness to learn, Weston has made the rise from the U19s to the Bundesliga and it’s been a success from the get go,” said Heidel. “We’re very happy that Weston sees his long-term future to be at FC Schalke 04.”
When asked for his advice to youth soccer players who dream of becoming professional soccer players, McKennie had a great answer:
“Keep working hard and if someone does not believe in you, just use it as motivation to keep working hard.”
Weston added, when signing his new contract: “It was an easy decision for me to make. I love the club and everything here: my teammates, the head coach, and the fans,” stated McKennie. “I’d love to stay here forever.”
The 19-year-old (born 28th August 1998) joined FC Schalke 04’s U19 squad in the summer of last year from the FC Dallas Academy. In the final game of last season, McKennie made his first Bundesliga appearance on loan at FC Ingolstadt. So far this season, McKennie has made four appearances – two of which were in the starting XI.
Coming soon, exclusive interview with McKennie
Photo Credit: Schalke
