“It is great news for all Schalke fans,” says Schalke head coach Domenico Tedesco, who was thrilled at the news. “Naldo is an outstanding person both on and off the pitch. He is a unifying figure in the squad.”

Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel shares the same view: “As a player and a person, Naldo is a role model for our squad and Schalke 04 as a club.”

For the 36 year old (born 10th September 1982), it is a dream come true: “I am overjoyed at extending my time here at Schalke. It is an enormous club with unbelievable, loyal fans who are always behind us,” emphasises Naldo who adds that he is “looking forward to more successful years at this great club.”

Naldo signed for FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2016 from VfL Wolfsburg and has made 75 appearances for the Royal-Blues in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and European competition. The Brazilian has scored nine goals in his time at the club and was at the heart of Domenico Tedesco’s defence that helped Schalke finish second in the Bundesliga last season. Schalke also made the semi-finals of last season’s DFB-Pokal.