BERLIN, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo joins Schalke for one year, the "Royal Blues" announced in an official statement on Wednesday.
Schalke signed Christian Wetklo as a backup goalkeeper, as new arrival Fabian Giefer will be sidelined until October. Thus Ralf Fahrmann remains as the starting goalkeeper while Wetklo will be the number two between the posts.
"Due to the injuries of Giefer and Huelsmann we grabbed the chance to sign with Christian Wetlko an experience keeper who knows his job and role in Schalke," manager Horst Heldt told the clubs official homepage.
Wetklo, whose contract ran out at Mainz this summer, played already during his youth career from 1995 until 1999 for Schalke. However, he spent 13 years of his professional career at Mainz where he made 124 official games.
"It is an overwhelming feeling of happiness to play for the club that I supported as a kid. I identify myself 100 per cent with my role and task at Schalke," the 34-year-old new arrival said.
Schalke completed the last Bundesliga season on third place to wrap up a berth for the UEFA Champions League.