Schalke 04 are poised to complete the permanent signing of forward Junior Adamu from SC Freiburg, according to a report in Bild. The 25-year-old underwent a medical examination with the Bundesliga side on Thursday, indicating the transfer is nearing completion.
Adamu spent the latter half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Celtic, where his impact was limited to six appearances, yielding one goal and one assist. Prior to the loan spell, the Austrian international featured in 67 games for Freiburg across all competitions, registering seven goals and four assists. He initially joined Freiburg in January 2024 from Red Bull Salzburg.
The reported transfer fee of €800,000 represents a significant discount on Adamu’s estimated market value of €3 million, as listed on Transfermarkt. This lower fee potentially reflects Freiburg’s willingness to facilitate a move for a player who was not a regular starter, or Schalke’s financial situation following their recent promotion back to the Bundesliga.
Schalke were recently promoted back to the Bundesliga after a challenging period in the 2. Bundesliga, and are actively bolstering their squad ahead of the new season. Adamu’s arrival provides additional attacking options for head coach Urs Fischer, offering competition and depth in forward positions. The move offers Adamu a chance to establish himself as a key player in a rebuilding Schalke side, following a relatively peripheral role at both Freiburg and Celtic.
The transfer could prove a shrewd piece of business for Schalke if Adamu can recapture the form he showed earlier in his Freiburg career. His ability to play across the front line will give Fischer tactical flexibility as he looks to solidify Schalke’s position in the German top flight.
