Schalke sign Klaas-Jan Huntelaar through 2016-17 season
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar isn't going anywhere.
Schalke announced Saturday that Huntelaar, 31, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Veltins-Arena for the next two seasons.
Breaking news! @KJ_Huntelaar has extended his contract with #S04 until 2017! More to follow later! pic.twitter.com/t2yBzl8TGd
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) December 20, 2014
Huntelaar's previous deal was set to expire at the end of the season, triggering recent speculation over the forward's future. However, his decision to remain at Schalke doesn't come as a huge surprise given his commitment to the club.
A player of his caliber could easily have landed a contract with one of Europe's larger clubs over the past few years, yet he's now set to continue with Schalke until he's 33 years old.
It could have something to do with a fear over lack of playing time, which he experienced at both Real Madrid and AC Milan. Huntelaar told Italian newspaper Il Giornale in 2012 he “will not move to a top club without a guarantee that I will start. I made that mistake already with Milan.”
Through 15 appearances this season, Huntelaar has already notched seven goals and three assists.