Schalke defender Joel Matip has paid tribute to the club as he prepares to make his move to Liverpool this summer.
Cameroon international Matip, 24, has spent 16 years with Schalke and he received an emotional send-off on Saturday as he made his final appearance at the Veltins Arena.
"Schalke is my home," he told reporters following the 1-1 draw with Augsburg. "Schalke has shaped my life, and its influence will stay with me forever. I will think positively about this club all my life."
Schalke confirmed in February that Matip would join Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer, with the player announcing that he had made the decision abroad because he wanted to "experience something fundamentally new."
Shortly before kick-off, the #S04 fans will thank Joel #Matip and Marco #Höger for their services to the club. pic.twitter.com/sZRSTqSmQb
- FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) May 7, 2016
The Royal Blues supporters, showing appreciation for Matip's honesty, displayed a giant banner reading: "You gave it your all for Schalke for 16 years. Thank you, Jimmy!"
Matip added: "The way the fans bid farewell to me was something special. I will always remember it."
However, his 193rd Bundesliga match for the club saw Schalke concede a late equaliser to Augsburg that all but ended their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season.
Going into the away game at Hoffenheim on the final match day of the season, Schalke trail fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach by three points and 16 goals. The Royal Blues are currently seventh, and are level on points with Hertha Berlin and Mainz above them.
After another turbulent season, they are now hoping to climb one more place in the standings to avoid the playoffs for the Europa League group stages.
"I want the best possible goodbye here -- I owe that to the club," Matip said.