Levan Kenia joins the Royal Blues
07.01.2008
Schalke have completed their first new signing for the 2008/09 Bundesliga season. Levan Kenia will join the club's professional squad in summer. Until then the 17-year-old Georgian will play for Schalke's under-19 side in the Bundesliga West. Kenia's professional contract, which will run until 30 June 2012, enters into effect on his 18th birthday (18 October 2008).
The Georgian, whose previous club was Lokomotive Tbilisi, first spent some time at Schalke a year ago. Levan Kobiashvili established the contact, and a trial was arranged for his young compatriot. "He impressed coach Norbert Elgert at the time", recalls general manager Andreas Müller, who kept a close eye on Kenia's progress from then on.
The versatile midfielder made the first of four international appearances so far under national coach Klaus Toppmöller a short time later. A number of top European clubs became aware of the then 16-year-old, but he had already decided on a move to the Royal Blues.
Müller had this to say of Kenia: "He's a highly talented player and very advanced for his age. He has a quick grasp of things and is a very nimble, technically gifted, pacy player".
Kenia obtained a residence permit at the beginning of the year and is living at the club's academy. The Georgian is also busy learning German. "He already understands a lot and his spoken knowledge is steadily improving as well", said Kobiashvili.
