In their search for a new left-back, FC Schalke 04 seem to have found one in the Netherlands.

FC Schalke 04 have found a new left-back. The second division club is about to sign Derry John Murkin. The 24-year-old is still under contract with Dutch first division club FC Volendam until June 2024. This was reported by the Dutch sports newspaper Voetbal International during Schalk’s match against Holstein Kiel.

Murkin was born in Colchester in England, because his mother changed jobs, he moved to the Netherlands at the age of four. At the age of 16 he joined the youth team of FC Volendam, having previously played for smaller clubs ZVV Zaandjik, KFC Koog an de Zaan, VPV Purmersteijn and Fortuna Wormerveer.

In his youth he was mainly used as a left winger before being retrained as a left defender as a professional. In his third year he made his breakthrough. In 32 games in the Dutch second division, he scored six goals and set up seven assists, and was named FC Volendam Talent of the Year for his efforts.

He missed large parts of the following 2021/22 season due to a foot injury. He only played in the last four games and contributed two assists to the promotion to the Eredevisie. There he is a regular and has made 34 appearances since the start of the 2022/23 season (no goal, five assists).

Now he is on the verge of a move to the Königsblauen – he is expected to offer Thomas Ouwejan great competition. Perhaps he will already play in Wehen Wiesbaden (2 September, 1 pm). Because against Kiel Ouwejan had to be substituted due to injury.