Everton full-back Jonjoe Kenny has joined Schalke 04 on loan for the 2019-20 season.
The 22-year old has become the latest young England player to try their hand in the Bundesliga. Kenny was restricted to just 9 Premier League appearances, with Seamus Coleman remaining Marco Silva's preferred option on the right side of defence.
The Liverpool-born defender is currently with the England U-21 squad preparing for this month's European Championships, and will join up with David Wagner's side after the tournament in Italy.
Oh my god! They signed Kenny!#s04 #WelcomeKenny pic.twitter.com/7tUDOpOKoK
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) June 10, 2019
Speaking of the move, Kenny says “It is a big chance for me, to come to a new country and show off my abilities, especially at a big club like Schalke.
"Schalke 04 is a club with a long history and fantastic fans. I am happy to be here and can’t wait to get up and running with the team."
The Bundesliga has become a home to a number of young English players, frustrated by a lack of game time in the Premier League over recent seasons. Jadon Sancho left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund, and has since become one of the most sought-after young players in Europe.
Following loan spells at Borussia Moenchengladbach and Augsburg, West Ham's Reece Oxford is set to seal a permanent move to the latter club in the coming days. And Kenny's Everton team-mate Ademola Lookman made a huge impact for RB Leipzig during the second half of the 2017-18 season.
Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider says their new boss David Wagner - formerly of Huddersfield was an admirer of Kenny, "We are very happy that we have been able to get Jonjoe Kenny at FC Schalke 04.
"With this signing, we have filled the hole at right-back and completed one of our aims of the summer. My thanks go to technical director Michael Reschke, the scouting team and our head coach David Wagner, who knows Jonjoe from the Premier League"
Kenny remains contracted to Everton until the summer of 2022, and the Merseyside club are set to sign cover for Coleman during the summer.
