Schalke sign Morocco left back Mendyl

Berlin: Champions League participants Schalke on Friday signed Morocco defender Hamza Mendyl from French club OSC Lille on a five-year contract, boosting their back line a week before the start of the Bundesliga season.

The 20-year-old left back was part of Morocco’s World Cup squad in June but did not feature in their three group matches in Russia.

He has earned 13 caps for his country and played 13 Ligue 1 matches after joining Lille in 2016 as a teenager.

“He offers a lot of what we want from that position,” said Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco. “Athleticism, power, robust strength in attack. We look forward to joining him in his own talent’s development.” Schalke, Bundesliga runners-up last season, have automatically qualified for the Champions League group stage.