Who is Benito Raman?

bundesliga.com has the inside information on the Belgian speed demon bringing his talents to the Veltins Arena in 2019/20...

Benito Raman

Age: 24
Club: Schalke
Position: Forward
Country: Belgium (35 youth international caps)

Raman began his career at hometown club Gent, where he scored 15 goals in 68 competitive appearances - including eight as he helped them to their first ever league title in 2014/15. The 5'8" right-footer spent time on loan at Beerschot, Kortrijk and Sint-Truiden - tucking away 10 goals all told - before joining Standard Liege on a four-year deal in summer 2016. The Ghent native posted a double-digit haul in his debut season with the club, but "quickly fell out of favour under Ricardo Sa Pinto" and was farmed out to Fortuna for the start of the 2017/18 Bundesliga 2 campaign.

Raman hasn't looked back. He hit the catwalk running over in Germany's fashion capital, his 10 goals and three assists in 28 outings helping Fortuna end a four-year Bundesliga exodus by gaining promotion as Bundesliga 2 champions. Having signed a permanent deal with the club in March 2018, the 24-year-old has continued his good work in the top flight, where he is Düsseldorf's joint-highest scorer with 10 goals from 30 games - alongside Watford-owned countryman Dodi Lukebakio.

The former U15, 17, 18, 19 and 21 Belgium international caught the interest of new Schalke boss David Wagner over the summer, and he has signed a five-year deal with the Royal Blues.

Watch: Benito Raman's top five goals for Fortuna in 2018/19!

Former Standard, Hamburg and Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten was among those who told Raman he was making the right move by joining Düsseldorf. "I received hundreds of messages, including from Daniel van Buyten," Raman told DH.be.

"I didn't expect it. He told me he was happy that I was joining Düsseldorf. He was certain that I'd made the right decision because I would get more of a game in Germany. It did me good to hear that and to know he appreciated me. He added: 'If you need anything, you can call me.' That was really nice."

Plays a bit like: Timo Werner

Raman can play on either wing or through the middle. He's agile and clinical, but above all is a veritable beast unleashed on the counter-attack - much like Leipzig and Germany forward Werner. Wind him up and watch him go!

What they're saying

"He successfully integrated himself into the team in double-quick time and enhanced our attack with his pace, tireless running, goals and assists. He's an even better player in the Bundesliga because of his speed on the counter and is already an important part of the team, but he has the potential to get even better." - Fortuna coach Friedhelm Funkel

"Playing in the Bundesliga is a dream come true. I always dreamed of playing in a top European league." - Raman

"He showed with his 10 goals and four assists last season that he can perform at the top level." - Schalke coach David Wagner