Chapter 8: Official Signing—Is the Super Cup Comeuppance on Its Way?

The group of four walked toward the locker room, chatting and laughing, while at the same time, in the top-floor vice manager’s office of the building, the negotiations between Hughes and Giesen were reaching their conclusion.

On one side, Hughes didn’t know the other party was willing to pay double; on the other, Giesen was unaware that Hughes had already inflated the numbers by a factor of two.

Thus, both men, smiling broadly, temporarily finalized the preliminary draft of the contract.

The terms were: a five-year contract with a pre-tax annual salary of 1.3 million euros. The salary could be adjusted annually based on Lin Hao’s performance. Goal bonuses were set at 8,000 euros per league goal and 12,000 euros per Champions League goal; assist bonuses were 5,000 euros. The Bundesliga Golden Boot carried a 300,000-euro reward, while the Champions League Golden Boot was worth 500,000 euros—these last two were added without hesitation by Hughes. Aside from these, there were no additional clauses.

Overall, the contract was quite satisfactory both for Schalke 04 and Giesen. Schalke signed a Chinese rising star, highly valued by Magath and with an explosive market appeal, at a salary typical for a mid- to lower-level player. Meanwhile, Giesen helped Lin Hao secure a staggering contract worth 1.3 million euros—an instant fortune compared to the 650,000 euros Lin Hao initially sought.

Once the deal was sealed, Old Giesen eagerly left Hughes’ office. As soon as he stepped outside, he called Lin Hao and relayed the contract details.

Lin Hao, having already changed and joined Hao Junmin and Raul heading to the restaurant for lunch, was instantly uplifted upon learning that Giesen had negotiated a 1.3 million euro salary on his behalf.

It wasn’t that Lin Hao was short-sighted or inexperienced; rather, having inhabited this body for over two years, he hadn’t earned much during that time. His parents were still saving to help him with a down payment on a house in Beijing.

So, for his annual salary to suddenly jump from 200,000 euros as a U20 player to 1.3 million euros—how could he not be thrilled?

It was worth noting that Hao Junmin currently earned only 800,000 euros a year at Schalke 04, despite having been abroad for a long time.

Lin Hao had yet to play a single Bundesliga match; he was still considered a third-division player, so receiving such a salary was indeed remarkable.

“How is it? Schalke 04 is pretty generous with the salary, isn’t it?” Hao Junmin, who had just arrived at the restaurant and saw Lin Hao’s happy face after a phone call, easily guessed that Lin Hao had landed a big contract.

“Heh, yeah, it’s really good!” Lin Hao replied.

“Oh! Salary isn’t the most important. What really matters is the contract length. You’re not like me; I might not hold my ground here. You have a solid chance to take off at Schalke. But if you sign a long-term deal, Schalke might trap you down the line!”

Lin Hao was still savoring his small victory when Hao Junmin’s words snapped him back to reality.

That’s right!

Giesen mentioned five years, which was typical for a young player’s contract. However, signing for five years actually posed greater risks for the club, given how many prodigies never truly emerge.

It seemed fine on the surface, but the key was that Lin Hao had a system backing him that gave him an edge.

Judging by his current development trajectory, in about two seasons he could reach the level of a mainstay in a top club.

If Schalke clung to his contract and salary at that point...

Lin Hao hesitated.

But after a moment’s thought, he made up his mind.

Indeed, what he needed most right now wasn’t money—it was playing time.

Judging by today’s training, staying at Schalke 04 would guarantee him plenty of appearances and match points. But while ensuring sufficient playing time, he couldn’t let himself be completely tied down by Schalke.

In Lin Hao’s memory, Schalke had only been decent during the two years Raul was there.

In the future, Schalke might even be relegated to the second division; surely he wouldn’t want to follow them down there.

With his decision firm, Lin Hao called Old Giesen again.

Upon hearing Lin Hao’s request, Giesen returned to Hughes’ office without complaint.

At first, Giesen thought Hughes might try to withhold part of the salary, but Hughes agreed without hesitation.

After Lin Hao finished lunch with Raul, Hao Junmin, and Atsuto Uchida, who was there to carry Raul’s bag, he took the elevator to the top floor.

Since he was already a U20 squad member, he was exempt from the physical examinations mandatory for other players.

Lin Hao simply signed the contract with Hughes, posed for a photo, and officially became a first-team player for Schalke 04.

With the signing complete, Schalke 04 promptly announced Lin Hao’s contract on their official website.

Back in China, as soon as the news of Lin Hao’s official signing broke on Schalke 04’s site, the already hot topic of “Lin Hao” exploded once more.

Sina Sports was the first to publish an article titled "Chinese Youth Star Lin Hao Officially Joins Bundesliga Powerhouse Schalke 04!"

The report meticulously recapped all of Lin Hao’s personal honors over the past two years and concluded that his future at Schalke 04 would surely surpass that of Hao Junmin.

This clear endorsement reignited Lin Hao’s popularity back home.

- “Damn, it’s not easy! Shao Jiayi, Hao Junmin, Lin Hao—now we have three Chinese players in the Bundesliga! Especially Schalke 04’s matches; I’m going to watch every single one this year!”

- “Exactly! He’s our own kid; if we don’t support him, who will? Did you see the AFC U-19 Championship? Lin Hao was definitely the strongest player on any team. Even though we lost the final, and those idiots say Lin Hao is cursed never to win titles, the German Super Cup is just days away—I want to see him slap those haters right in the face!”

- “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too. But seriously, can Lin Hao even make the matchday squad?”

- “Whoa, now that you mention it, that’s true. He just signed; who knows when he’ll get on the pitch!”

- “Yeah, Schalke 04’s front line is really strong—Raul, Huntelaar... just those two are leagues ahead of Lin Hao!”

- “No worries, Raul’s getting old and his stamina is declining. I bet we’ll definitely see Lin Hao play this season, not just in the Bundesliga but also in the Champions League!”

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