Juventus have completed the signing of defender Benedikt Howedes from Schalke on a one-year loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
Howedes, 29, departs Schalke having been one of the longest-serving players in the Bundesliga, joining the club from SG Herten-Langenbochum as a 13-year-old in 2001.
While many had tipped the Germany international to finish his career at Schalke after signing a contract extension through to 2020 in 2016, he fell down the pecking order under new coach Domenico Tedesco.
OFFICIAL: Welcome to Juventus @BeneHoewedes!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 30, 2017
👉 https://t.co/JvPO0iA3VS#WillkommenBenedikt #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/2mimfw1Tsa
Earlier this summer, Tedesco, who came through the ranks of Hoffenheim's coaching academy, stripped Howedes of the captain's armband and benched him for the opening Bundesliga games of the season.
While there was also interest from England, Howedes had his heart set on a transfer to Juventus, where he will replace Leonardo Bonucci after his move to AC Milan earlier this summer.
"Howedes is a leader and always gives it his all. He can become important for us," Juve midfielder and Germany teammate Sami Khedira told Bild. "Benny is a versatile player, which makes it easier for our system."
