 Ahead of the UEFA 2008, Engelaar announced he is intends to join Bundesliga side Schalke 04, where he will join under the management of Fred Rutten.Despite interests from Premier League clubs and Steve McClaren desperate desire to keep him, the move was agreed on 3 July 2008 and officially joined Schalke 04 on 15 July 2008.In a 1–0 win over Rangers in the friendly match, Engelaar performance was left with disappointment by Rutten.