Raul to leave Schalke 04 at end of season

Schalke 04's Raul and supervisory board Clemens Toennies (R) pose during a news conference in Gelsenkirchen, April 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

BERLIN - Schalke 04 forward Raul is to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, the Bundesliga club said on Thursday.

The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain striker has been at the Gelsenkirchen club for two seasons, scoring 27 Bundesliga goals in 63 matches.

"He will explain his reasons for the move...and his plans for the future in due course," the club said in a statement.

German media reported that Raul could continue his career in Qatar. "My future lies outside Europe in a league that is not so strong in playing terms as the Bundesliga," the player told reporters.

"It was not an easy decision to make. I have had two wonderful years and will always have a place for Schalke in my heart."

Raul, whose international career ended in 2006, joined Schalke after he became surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, the club where he had been a talismanic figure.

File picture shows Schalke 04's Raul as he celebrates his goal against Athletic Bilbao during their Europa League first leg quarter-final soccer match in Gelsenkirchen, March 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

It was uncertain how well he would adapt to rainy, industrial Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke have an almost cult-like following, after the more refined surroundings of the Bernabeu.

He adapted well, however, scoring 13 goals in his first Bundesliga season and five more in the Champions League, taking his all-time tally in Europe's top club competition to a record with 71 goals as Schalke reached the semi-finals.

He also won a German Cup winners' medal, scoring once along the way.

He has continued to consistently find the net this term with 14 more goals in the Bundesliga, two in the Cup and four in the Europa League. In all, he has scored 39 goals for the Royal Blues.

"Raul is a complete team player, who will give everything for the team and the club until his last match," said coach Huub Stevens. "I have great respect for him."

File picture shows Raul of Schalke 04 as he celebrates his second goal against Hanover 96 during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Gelsenkirchen, April 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]