Edin Dzeko Seals Schalke 04 Move To Boost 2. Bundesliga Promotion Bid

Edin Dzeko has returned to German football, signing a free-transfer deal with 2. Bundesliga leaders Schalke. The 39-year-old forward agreed a short-term contract running until the end of the 2025/26 season. Dzeko arrives after a brief spell at Fiorentina, where the striker spent only half a campaign before departing earlier this season.

The move brings significant experience to Schalke, who sit four points clear of Elversberg at the top of Germany’s second tier. The Gelsenkirchen club are targeting a return to the Bundesliga, having been outside the top flight since relegation in 2023, their second drop in three seasons.

Schalke, Champions League semi-finalists in 2011, came close to slipping even further last season. The club narrowly avoided

relegation to the third division after a difficult campaign. Their form improved under head coach Miron Muslic, who arrived from Plymouth Argyle in May and oversaw a sharp upturn in results.

Dzeko strengthens a squad already pushing for promotion and adds a proven goal threat. The Bosnia-Herzegovina captain is his country’s all-time leading scorer, with 72 goals from 146 international appearances. That record underlines Dzeko’s long-term influence at the highest level, combining experience, aerial strength and penalty-box instincts for club and country.

Edin Deko has signed for FC Schalke 04 for the remainder of the 2025/26 season! Welcome auf Schalke, @EdDzeko! https://t.co/oXfXI1qRuN#S04 pic.twitter.com/EX1qAT7lVeFC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) January 22, 2026

The switch to Schalke marks Dzeko’s first appearance in German football since leaving Wolfsburg in 2011. Between 2007 and 2011, Dzeko played 142 matches for Wolfsburg and scored 85 goals. That spell established the forward as one of Europe’s most reliable finishers and led to a move to Manchester City.

Dzeko joined Manchester City in January 2011 and hit 72 goals in 189 games for the club. During that period, Dzeko collected two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one EFL Cup. The striker then left for Roma in 2015, initially on loan, and produced 119 goals across 260 appearances for the Italian side.

Later, Dzeko switched to Inter and stayed a key figure in Serie A. The forward helped Inter reach the Champions League final in 2023, adding another major chapter to a long career. Schalke now rely on that experience as the club attempts to secure promotion and stabilise after several turbulent years.