Schalke 04 have completed the transfer of Macedonian international Besart Ibraimi from Renova for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has signed a three-and-half-year contract until 30 June 2013.
Ibraimi, who scored 13 goals in 26 matches in the Macedonian First Division last season has already netted 12 goals in just 16 games this season for Renova who are setting the pace at the top of the Macedonian First Division. He has made five appearances for his national team to date. The news of this transfer reinforces Ibraimi’s status as the rising star of Macedonian football. It comes just a few weeks after he was voted as Macedonian’s 2009 Player of the Year.
“He’ll give us a lot of enjoyment but he is also one for the future,” said head coach Felix Magath on the official Schalke website. Schalke were the winners in an intense bidding process for the player’s services with interest from a large number of clubs from around Europe.