The former Mainz star had grown frustrated with his role as a substitute and is keen to prove his worth at his new club
Jan Kirchhoff is looking forward to his loan spell with Schalke and believes he needed to get away from Bayern Munich in order to get regular playing time again.
The 23-year-old agreed an 18-month loan at the Veltins Arena after making just seven substitute Bundesliga appearances for Bayern this term following his close-season arrival from Mainz and Kirchhoff has admitted he had become frustrated at a lack of first-team football under Pep Guardiola.
“The situation in Munich was not easy for me,” he told Schalke’s official website.
“I learned a lot in half a year, but just did not play too much. I had reached a point where I said that I was no longer satisfied.
“I am very happy that the transfer worked. I am very grateful and look forward to a new challenge at a great club.”
Kirchhoff’s first league game for his new club could come on January 26 when they return to Bundesliga action against Hamburg.