Berlin, May 29 (IANS): Dortmund's defender Felipe Santana joined rival club Schalke, signing a three-year deal.

Schalke reinforce their defence when they signed the centre-back Tuesday until 2016 to replace retired Christoph Metzelder, reports Xinhua.

Santana joined Dortmund from Brazilian side Figueirense in 2008. Since then he has scored six goals in 95 appearances for the BVB. In addition, he won the Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as the DFB Pokal (German Cup).

Dortmund's supporters will keep him in good memory as he scored the winning goal in the dying seconds of the match at the Champions League quarterfinals against Malaga.

"We are delighted that Felipe Santana settled on Schalke. Aggressive one-on-one duels and goal scoring abilities characterises his style of play. Besides that, he knows the Bundesliga for five years," Schalke manager Horst Heldt said.

The 27-year-old Brazilian failed to grab a position in the starting team as Dortmund's coach Juergen Klopp relied on Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels.

"I had five great years in Germany but they were not always easy for me. I look forward to the new challenge at Schalke. I need a starting position to let my dream come true to play for Brazil. This is my dream and my sporting goal," Santana said.