Schalke lock in Dzeko as promotion momentum fuels Bundesliga push

Ex‑Fenerbahçe striker Edin Dzeko has signed a one‑year contract extension with German Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04, the club announced on Monday, confirming his continued role after helping the team secure promotion back to the top flight. The deal arrives a year after Schalke earned promotion, reinforcing the squad as it prepares for the demands of the Bundesliga.

Schalke’s return to the top tier leaves the club with a clear need for seasoned attacking leadership, and Dzeko’s experience is seen as a vital component of that strategy. His presence offers a proven goal‑scoring option and a mentor for younger forwards as the club adapts to the higher level.

Dzeko joined Schalke on a free transfer in January, arriving at the age of 40 after a career that includes captaining Bosnia‑Herzegovina at the recent World Cup. The new extension adds another year to his contract, keeping the veteran in the squad for the upcoming season.

In the 2. Bundesliga he netted six goals in 11 matches, a contribution that proved decisive as Schalke returned to the Bundesliga after three seasons in the second tier. Those six strikes helped secure the points needed for promotion and highlighted his continued effectiveness despite his age.

"Winning promotion to the Bundesliga ranks among the highlights of my career. It was unbelievable," Dzeko said in a statement. "Football has made me happy and driven me throughout my life. I am still hungry, and I want to help our team in the Bundesliga too."

He could make his first Bundesliga appearance since leaving Wolfsburg for Manchester City in 2011 when Schalke open their campaign at Augsburg on August 30. That match will mark his return to Germany’s top division after a decade away.

His former clubs also include Roma, Inter Milan and Fenerbahçe, underscoring a career spent at several European powerhouses.

The report was filed under the categories EU, Mid, Op and Ed, reflecting the broad range of tags associated with the announcement.