In a surprise move, Kevin-Prince Boateng on Friday transferred from Serie A giant AC Milan to Schalke of the German Bundesliga. The Ghana international, who was born inBerlin, decided to return to Germany after four years playing abroad, signing a four-year deal with the Gelsenkirchen club.
The move is somewhat odd considering that Boateng is ineligible forSchalke’s UEFA Champions League campaign after playing and scoring twice for Milan during its 4-1 UCL playoff series win against PSV Eindhoven.
“I’m happy to be back home in Germany, inthe best league in the world,” the 26-year-old said. “It was just perfect – this club with its crazy fans, a young coach [Jens Keller], the sporting director HorstHeld… I knew already I wanted to come.”
According to ESPN,Boateng’s departure could pave the way for Real Madrid playmaker Kaka to return to Milan. The Brazilian told Spanish media that he wants to leave the Bernabeu before thetransfer window closes on Monday.