The best striker and the best player for 2009 in Macedonia, Besart Ibraimi joins German Bundesliga clubs FC Schalke 04.

The 23-year-old has been given a three-and-half-year contract that will run until 30 June 2013. His contract with Renova was due to expire at the end of this season.

“He’ll give us a lot of enjoyment but he too is one for the future”, said head coach Felix Magath, who intends to ease the 1.82 m striker gradually into the Bundesliga.

Ibraimi, who scored 13 goals in 26 matches in the Macedonian First Division last season and has netted twelve times in fifteen outings this term, was named as best player in Macedonia for 2009 and has made five appearances for the Macedonian national team.