Gosens bids bitter and emotional goodbye to Fiorentina, as Schalke 04 move official

Gosens bids bitter and emotional goodbye to Fiorentina, as Schalke 04 move official Robin Gosens has bid an emotional and bitter farewell to Fiorentina after completing his transfer to Schalke 04 , as he was pushed out. ‘I did not expect it to end this way. I still don’t understand what happened.’ The full-back was frozen out of the squad and told not to bother turning up to pre-season training, as he was not part of the plans for new coach Fabio Grosso, despite being under contract until June 2028. With no alternative but to look elsewhere, he quickly reached an agreement to play for the club he had supported as a child, Schalke 04. This is believed to be a loan with obligation to buy for around €2.5m plus add-ons. Today he completed the transfer and took to social media to send a farewell message to the fans, not disguising the bitterness at his treatment from Fiorentina directors. Gosens hits out at Fiorentina directors FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 8: Robin Gosens of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “When two years ago I had the opportunity to play for Fiorentina, I was happy. I never could’ve imagined how much happier I would become as time went by. We found a home here, my first year went incredibly well, the second incredibly badly. “But what never changed was that every single day here, I gave my life. On the field and off it. I always behaved fairly, towards everyone. “Today a chapter closes that I didn’t think would close. Not like this, not this way, and not with these dynamics. It is unexpected, and precisely because of that, it is painful. MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 19: Robin Gosens of Fiorentina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Moise Kean and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “I spent a lot of time reflecting over the past few days, because our hearts are truly fond of this city and this club. I went to train without creating chaos and I am still trying to understand what could’ve happened in such a short space of time. “The drastic decision to exclude me from the squad struck me deeply, because I think this story deserved a different ending. The clubs quite rightly want players to feel a core identity, to have gratitude, respect and effort, but the same is true in reverse. “I believe that I have always given all of that. I would’ve loved the opportunity to fight for my place, but there’s no point fighting when there is no possibility of victory. FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Robin Gosens of ACF Fiorentina shows his dejection during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Torino at Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 19, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “As far as I am concerned, I leave here only with gratitude. Gratitude for the intense and wonderful time we spent together in this club, in this incredible city. And I leave aware that I left my heart and soul here, with every second. “Thank you to everyone who supported me here and made this experience so special. My lads, who became like brothers to me, the kit staff, chefs and waiters. Every single coach and his staff, from whom I was always able to learn something. The medical staff, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible to play, and who last year received too much criticism (a lot of it unjust). “The fans who gave me the sensation that what I did had meaning and made me feel at home from the first minute. To Rocco Commisso and his family, who gave me this opportunity. “Fortunately, my destiny is taking me right back to the beginning. Where my love for this sport started, and where the journey to make my dreams come true began. “I love you all. See you soon. Robin.” View this post on Instagram Gosens just turned 32 earlier this month and had spent most of his career in Italian football. The Germany international came to Atalanta in 2017, then moved on to Inter, and after a brief spell back in his homeland with Union Berlin, returned to Serie A for Fiorentina in the summer of 2024.