FC Schalke 04 demotes nine senior players to U23, Anton Donkor among them

FC Schalke 04 has moved nine members of its senior squad to the club’s U23 team, a decision that includes former Eintracht Braunschweig winger Anton Donkor. Donkor, who made only two 2. Bundesliga appearances for Schalke amounting to six minutes of play, is reportedly paid around €80,000 per month (€960,000 annually) plus contractual bonuses, placing him in the club’s regular‑player salary bracket despite his limited on‑field role. The club is actively seeking a transfer for the 28‑year‑old; a recent potential move to Greek top‑flight side OFI Crete collapsed. The broader reshuffle reflects Schalke’s ongoing squad planning as it strives to streamline the first‑team roster.

The other eight players similarly relegated to the U23 side have been described as “professors without perspective,” highlighting the club’s effort to give younger talent more opportunities while reducing payroll commitments for senior players who are no longer in the coach’s plans.