Joël Matip

Job Joël Andre Matip (born 8 August 1991) is a German-born Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre back for FC Schalke 04 until July 2016, when he will join Liverpool.

Club career

Early Career

Born in Bochum to a German mother and a Cameroonian father, Matip began his career as a boy with SC Weitmar 45, and was eventually scouted by VfL Bochum in 1997. After several years in VfL Bochum's different youth teams, Matip was scouted by Schalke 04 in July 2000.

FC Schalke 04

He made his professional debut on 17 October 2009 in the Regionalliga against 1. FC Saarbrücken, before making his Bundesliga debut on 7 November 2009 against Bayern Munich, in which he scored the game-tying goal. He was subsequently named Man of the match.

On 2 March 2010, Matip signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Schalke 04.

On 23 February 2013, Matip scored both goals as Schalke secured an important 2–1 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf, securing the club's second win in 12 games.