Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Brazilian midfielder Lincoln has completed a move from Germany's Schalke 04 to the Turkish club Galatasaray. Schalke general manager Andreas Mueller told Germany's Bild newspaper Friday the transfer had been finalised.
According to Bild, the Istanbul club have paid 5 million euros (6.7 million dollars) for 28-year-old Lincoln who has signed a four-year contract.
Lincoln was in the preliminary Brazil squad of 34 picked for the forthcoming Copa America by coach Dunga, but did not make the final 22-man squad heading to Venezuela.
Schalke have meanwhile signed a prospective replacement for Lincoln in Swiss teenager Ivan Rakitic from FC Basle.
Rakitic, 19, the son of Croatian parents, is a Swiss under-21 international who is regarded as one of the biggest talents in the country.
Basle club president Gigi Oeri confirmed the move late Thursday. Final details of the transfer were expected to be finalised on Friday.
Schalke are reportedly paying 5 million euros for the central midfielder, but there was no immediate confirmation from either club.
"You can assume he wasn't cheap," said Oeri.
