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Schalke's 'pressure and expectation' forced Draxler away

New Wolfsburg midfielder Julian Draxler said he left Schalke for a greater challenge and to get away from the limelight.

Julian Draxler's concerns about what the "pressure and expectation" at Schalke would mean for his long-term career prompted his move to Wolfsburg.

The highly rated youngster signed a five-year deal with Wolfsburg on the Bundesliga's deadline day, ending his 14-year association with boyhood club Schalke.

The attacking midfielder has long been rated a future stalwart for Germany, while many at the Veltins Arena expected him to be critical to Schalke's hopes of a breakthrough Bundesliga title.