Contract would have expired
©IMAGO
After FC Schalke 04 found a new number two in Kevin Müller, Justin Heekeren was handed over to RSC Anderlecht. According to “Sky”, the Royal Blues will collect 500,000 euros including bonus payments for the 25-year-old goalkeeper, whose contract would have expired in the summer. Heekeren signs in Anderlecht until 2029.
“When Justin approached us with his desire to move to Anderlecht, we didn’t want to deny him this opportunity. We would like to thank him for his time here at Schalke. He has had a special connection to this club since he was a child, and he has shown that in his daily work here,” said Youri Mulder, Director of Professional Football, and added: “We wish him all the best for his future, both privately and in terms of sport.” Anderlecht’s sporting director Olivier Renard said: “Justin is a complete goalkeeper: physically imposing, with good reflexes and strong on both feet. We warmly welcome him to the club.”
After promotion to the Bundesliga in 2022, Heekeren moved from Rot-Weiß Oberhausen to Gelsenkirchen for 180,000 euros. After he was loaned out to the Belgian second division team Patro Eisden Maasmechelen in the second half of the 2023/24 season, he established himself as a regular in Schalke’s goal the following season. Loris Karius has lost this position to him, so he is still without a second division appearance this season. In total, Heekeren was between the posts 33 times for Schalke.
In Anderlecht, Heekeren holds the position of number two behind captain Colin Coosemans. He is supposed to replace Mads Kikkenborg, who moved to Molde in Norway on Tuesday. Heekeren knows Anderlecht’s goalkeeper coach Justin Verlinden from his six-month loan to Patro Eisden, who paved the way for the German to join the traditional Belgian club.
