Schalke 04 announce the signing of the most dominant defender in the Bundesliga

Posted Friday, April 13, 2018 by squawka.com

Schalke 04 have confirmed the signing of Senegalese defender Salif Sane, who will join them from Hannover 96 on a four-year deal in the summer.

The 27-year-old centre-back will end a five-year association with Hannover, where he joined from AS Nancy-Lorraine in 2013, once his relocation to Gelsenkirchen for a reported £7m becomes official.

Near ever-present this season, the Lormont-born footballer has featured in 27 of Hannover's 29 league outings.

Sane's form this term has been nothing short of outstanding. A graduate of Bordeaux's esteemed academy, he's made the most clearances (196) in the Bundesliga this season, which is at least 42 more than any other player. His future Schalke teammate Naldo is second (154).

A dominant figure on the pitch, Sane has also won the most aerial duels (170) in the German top-flight, incredibly only losing 36 out of 206 contests in the air, Naldo - his future centre-back partner - is third on that list (146).

Next up for Sane and Hannover is a trip to Stuttgart whilst Schalke, gunning for Champions League football, entertain Borussia Dortmund in the hotly contested Revierderby.