BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Schalke have completed the transfer of Hamza Mendyl from Ligue 1 outfit Lille OSC, the "Royal Blues" confirmed via the club's official homepage on Friday.

The 20-year-old defender has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, which will keep him in Gelsenkirchen until June 2023.

"We are happy that we were able to sign Hamza. He brings a lot with what we want for this position. We are very delighted to take the next stage of development with this talent," Schalke's head coach Domenico Tedesco said.

Schalke's new arrival plays since February 2017 for Lille's first team and made 13 appearances. Mendyl is since 2016 part of Morocco's national team where he made 11 caps.

"I am very happy to have penned a contract with such a big club. With Domenico Tedesco I encounter a coach, who is known for improving players," Mendyl said.

The "Royal Blues" kick off their Bundeliga season against Wolfsburg on August 25.