Justin Heekeren has already established himself in goal for FC Schalke 04 twice this season. This has been reflected in a new contract.

Justin Heekeren will continue to guard the goal of FC Schalke 04 in the future. Not only because he has been made the number one goalkeeper under both the first coach of the current season, Karel Geraerts, and his successor Kees van Wonderen, but also because his contract has been extended until the summer of 2026.

In the 2-0 win against SSV Jahn Regensburg on the last matchday, Heekeren played his tenth second division game of the current season. This activated a clause in his contract and Heekeren will remain with the Royal Blues for another year.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Xanten, recently attracted attention in the 0-0 draw against SSV Ulm 1846. The Royal Blues could easily have lost the game had it not been for Heekeren. In the goalkeeper casting announced by van Wonderen, which included summer signing Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, he was given his chance every Friday evening.

And Heekeren took advantage of it: for the first time in the current second division season, he kept a clean sheet, making five saves. He stretched twice to deflect shots from Maurice Krattenmacher (15th and 59th minutes) around the post. He looked confident when coming off his line and is strong with the ball at his feet anyway – it was a well-rounded performance, his best of the season.

Heekeren clearly stated his attitude: “There’s so much talk about goalkeepers at the moment that I went into the game with a ‘kiss my ass’ attitude. I just wanted to show the coach and the team that I’m here. And it worked really well. The team can now see that we’re solid at the back, which means we can focus more on the offense.”

Heekeren remained in goal for the Royal Blues and celebrated another clean sheet against Jahn Regensburg. The 2-0 win gave Schalke a quieter international break – and Heekeren another year on his contract.