Soufiane El-Faouzi has become the most valuable player at FC Schalke 04 after his estimated market value increased from €9m to €12m, according to Transfermarkt.
The Morocco midfielder’s rise is particularly striking given that he was valued at only €200,000 in 2024. His progress in German football has also earned him a place in the Morocco squad, where he has already made two appearances.
A rapid rise through German football
El-Faouzi began his development at Sportfreunde Siegen before joining SC Paderborn 07 in 2020. Two years later, he moved to the reserve team of Fortuna Dusseldorf.
After a spell with Alemannia Aachen, the midfielder signed for Schalke in 2025 for a fee of about €200,000. Since then, his performances in the German league have helped drive a sharp increase in his market value.
That progress has also brought him into contention at international level, with Morocco recognising his development by calling him up during the current international break.
An increasingly important player for Schalke
El-Faouzi has now made 41 appearances for Schalke in all competitions. During that time, he has scored two goals and provided five assists.
His growing importance fits with Schalke’s approach of developing promising players in the Bundesliga before potentially securing significant transfer fees for them in the future.
With his value now estimated at €12m, El-Faouzi already represents an important asset for the club. His current valuation makes him the highest-valued player in the Schalke squad, marking a significant change from the €200,000 figure attached to him in 2024.
Morocco opportunity marks another milestone
The midfielder’s club form has led to a further step in his career with the Morocco national team, known as the Lions of the Atlas.
He has played twice for his country so far but has yet to score or register an assist. Even so, his first experience of international football represents a notable stage in a journey that began at an amateur club before taking him through Germany’s lower divisions.
El-Faouzi’s market value has risen from €200,000 in 2024 to €12m today, underlining the speed of his development.
Schalke’s next fixture is their fifth match of the German league season, against SC Freiburg. The published 1xbet odds list Schalke 04 at 5.00 to win, 4.10 for a draw and 1.60 for a Freiburg victory.