Benedikt Howedes: Schalke defender joins Juventus on loan

Benedikt Howedes played in Germany's 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final

Schalke's 2014 World Cup-winning defender Benedikt Howedes has signed for Juventus on a season-long loan.

Howedes, 29, has spent his career at Schalke and was captain of the German club for six years.

Juventus said they have paid an initial 3.5m euros (£3.22m) for the loan, with an option to pay another 13.5m euros (£11.96m) to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

They will be obligated to do so if he plays at least 25 times this season.

The full transfer fee could rise by a further 3.5m euros based on other performance-related targets.

Howedes has played 44 times for Germany, including in the 2014 World Cup final when Joachim Low's side beat Argentina 1-0 in Rio.

Juventus, who reached last season's Champions League final, are seeking a seventh successive Serie A title.

They have started this season with back-to-back wins over Cagliari and Genoa, while Massimiliano Allegri's team have been drawn in the same Champions League group as Barcelona, Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon.

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