Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes would like to play abroad once his contract has expired in 2020, but is targeting more silverware with the Royal Blues in the meantime.
Howedes, 28, came through Schalke's youth ranks before making his Bundesliga debut in 2007 and going on to play 289 games for them.
In February, he renewed his deal at the Veltins Arena until 2020, and he is determined to upset the balance of power in the Bundesliga.
"Going to bigger clubs to win the league is relatively easy," he told Bild. "I want to achieve that with a team that isn't the favourite from the outset. That's the charm of the underdog.
"I have the aim to achieve something with the club. In 2011 we won the German Cup and I know how electrifying the city [of Gelsenkirchen] can be. I want to relive that."
Endlich geht's weiter! Freu mich auf die neue Saison! #FirstNeverFollows #ACE16 pic.twitter.com/p2UYecYxGf
- Benedikt Höwedes (@BeneHoewedes) August 3, 2016
Howedes arrived at Schalke's preseason camp in Austria following his vacation and set the target of returning to the Champions League after missing out due to a fifth-place finish last season.
"We want to play at the European stage. Schalke belongs to the three biggest clubs in Germany. It has to be our ambition to stay at the top and achieve what we could not in the past two years," he said.
"We have a lot of potential in our squad, we bring through new talents and have a massive fan base. Over the years we have become a healthy club, we have to continue that development. We hope to achieve our potential consistently on the field."
Howede's future plans, however, extend beyond the German club. "I extended my contract until 2020 with full conviction, but there will also be life as a footballer beyond my 32nd birthday," he said. "I want the experience of playing abroad."