Transfer Centre

Felipe Santana leaves Borussia Dortmund for Schalke

By Liam Power, Reporter | 28 May 2013

Felipe Santana signs a three-year contract with Schalke 04, confirming his exit from Borussia Dortmund after five years at the Bundesliga giants.

Brazilian defender Felipe Santana has become the latest player to leave Borussia Dortmund after completing a move to Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04 this afternoon.

Santana had a transfer request accepted by Dortmund last week and has moved swiftly to sign a three-year deal with Champions League qualifiers Schalke.

The 27-year-old has made the move in search of regular first-team football after regularly falling behind central defenders Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic in Jurgen Klopp's plans at Dortmund.

Despite joining Mario Gotze in swapping Dortmund for a bitter rival Santana has insisted that the move was purely aimed at maximising his chances to start matches.

He told BVB's official website: "It was a tough decision for me to leave. That is clear by the fact I extended my contract last summer even though I was not playing regularly.

"But I have got to play regularly now if I want my dream of playing for the Brazil national team to become reality, and that is the aim I have."

In a five-year spell with Klopp's side Santana scored six goals in 95 appearances, with his most memorable strike securing a last-gasp victory over Malaga in the Champions League.

Dortmund completed a deal for a ready-made replacement earlier this week after signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Werder Bremen on five-year contract.