Raul, who scored a record 323 goals in a 740 appearances for Real Madrid in a 16-year career, bid farewell to fans of the Spanish club on Monday. "It is a very difficult day for me, one of the most difficult of my career," the 33-year-old striker said. "I will never forget you. Real Madrid has been my home… I think that one day I will return to the club."

Raul is expected to sign with German club Schalke 04 after it was clear he won't fit into the plans of new coach Jose Mourinho, whom he nonetheless praised. "I like Jose Mourinho and the clubs he has coached," said Raul. "He is absolutely the right man for the job. It is not easy leaving as I can learn many things from Mourinho. I would have loved to have trained under Jose Mourinho but it just wasn't the right time the right place and I wasn't suddenly going to change my mind."

Guti, another long-time Real Madrid player, will also be leaving, most likely to Besiktas in Turkey.