Schalke signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar believes he and Raul could become the deadliest strike pairing in the Bundesliga. Die Königsblauen moved for the Netherlands international early on deadline day, after AC Milan made him available following the capture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Huntelaar and Raul worked together at Real Madrid and the 27-year-old believes they could form a lethal tandem at the Gelsenkirchen club. "It's just great to play alongside him," the 27-year-old Dutchman told Bild.

We understand each other very well. Raul and I could become the new dream pairing in the Bundesliga.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

"We understand each other very well. Naturally, Raul and I could become the new dream pairing in the Bundesliga. But we have to play together and only the coach will decide if that happens."

After disappointing spells in Madrid and Milan after a prolific stint at Ajax, Huntelaar denied suggestions his career had taken a step back with a move to the Veltins-Arena. "No, Schalke is a top club playing in the Champions League," he stated.

"That was also important for me. In Milan, there were four strikers before Ibrahimovic arrived. Therefore it would have been difficult for me. And finally I will get to play again."

Huntelaar eyes Dortmund date
Having arrived for a €13m fee, the pressure is on Huntelaar to hit the ground running and he has already targeted the crunch derby against Borussia Dortmund on 19 September. "The fee is not a problem for me," he said.

"It doesn't matter whether I am the most expensive signing or the cheapest, I must perform and do what is expected of me: score goals, preferably in less than two weeks against Dortmund. I have heard what a hot derby it is. A goal in this this game and I will have arrived at Schalke."