Now it’s official: FC Schalke 04 and Florent Mollet are going their separate ways with immediate effect. The Frenchman is returning to his homeland.

FC Schalke 04 made official on Tuesday afternoon what had already been in the offing: French midfielder Florent Mollet is leaving the Gelsenkirchen club with immediate effect and moving back to his homeland.

He will join the first division club FC Nantes. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the transfer fee, which is said to be around 1.5 million euros.

Mollet had come for 500,000 euros before the season. There were high hopes for the technician, but he could not fulfil them. He did not warm up to Schalke. Because Mollet was also pushing for a transfer, Schalke agreed to talks with FC Nantes – on the condition that a loan deal was out of the question and the transfer fee had to be well over 500,000 euros. This now seems to have been achieved.

“We did not originally intend to let Florent Mollet leave after only half a year. When the request from Nantes arrived a few days ago, it was the player’s explicit wish to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Personal reasons also played a role,” Peter Knäbel, member of the board and responsible for sports, is quoted as saying in the official statement. According to the statement, the decision was made in consultation with the coaching team to enter into negotiations with the Ligue 1 club.

Schalke can make good use of the money

“With a view to the economic framework conditions – the secure transfer income as well as the salary savings – we finally agreed to the transfer,” Knäbel continued. “We wish Florent all the best for his private and sporting future.” Promoted Schalke 04 is struggling financially and cannot afford to do without this income.

Mollet had only moved from HSC Montpellier to FC Schalke at the start of this season and had signed a contract valid until June 2025. However, after only six months, their common path is now over again.