German top division football club FC Schalke 04 will travel to China for the second time, the the former Bundesliga champions have announced.
According to an official statement released on Monday Schalke will spend their 2018 pre-season preparations in China for the second consecutive summer tour, reports Xinhua news agency.
After touring China last summer, the German outfit, who won the UEFA Cup in the 1996-97 season, will return to one of the biggest growth markets of football from July 16-22.
"China is one of the most important target markets within our long term internationalization strategy. Our second visit in row gives us therefore the perfect opportunity to expand Schalke's reach internationally," Schalke marketing executive Alexander Jobst said.
Markus Weinzierl's men are set to encounter two European top-flight teams for friendlies on July 19 and 21. Further information regarding the venues and opponents will be announced soon.
Schalke currently sit on the 10th place of the Bundesliga table. They will clash with relegated FC Ingolstadt 04 in their last Bundesliga match of the season on Saturday.
--IANS
ajb/vm
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
