体坛英语新闻：Raffael joins German side Schalke on loan

BERLIN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bundesliga side Schalke signs Raffael Caetano Araujo from Dynamo Kyiv until June 2013 on loan due to their injury crisis, the club said on its official homepage on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder already played in Germany for four years when he scored 33 goals in 140 appearances for Hertha Berlin.

"Due to our injury crisis we decided to get active on the transfer market again. Raffael will improve our opportunities in our offence," Schalke manager Horst Heldt said.

Raffael is well known for his speed, technique, goal getter and provider abilities.

"It is an honour to wear Schalke's dress and I am thrilled to return to the Bundesliga," Raffael Caetano Araujo said.

Raffael joined Dynamo Kyiv in 2012 to score one goal in nine matches. He already started at the UEFA Champions League for Kyiv therefore he has no authorization to play for Schalke.

Schalke sits currently on seventh position in the Bundesliga standings, one point away from a UEFA Europe League play off spot.