Germany ,23 jan (ABC)-Schalke have completed the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko on a six-month contract as the club looks to reinforce its attacking options in the race for promotion.
The Bundesliga 2 leaders sit four points clear at the top of the table but have struggled in front of goal, scoring only 22 times in 18 matches — a tally bettered by just three teams in the division.
Dzeko, 39, arrives from Serie A side Fiorentina, where he featured sparingly during the current season. Despite his limited role, Schalke believe the veteran striker’s experience and goal-scoring pedigree can provide a timely boost.
In a statement, Dzeko said he had closely followed the club since initial talks began and had watched several of Schalke’s recent matches. He praised the team’s progress this season after what he described as difficult years for the club.
Schalke, seven-time German champions, have endured a turbulent decade that has included two relegations, most recently at the end of the 2022–23 campaign. They are now aiming for a swift return to the top flight.
Dzeko previously enjoyed a successful spell in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg, winning the Bundesliga title in 2009. He scored 85 goals in 142 appearances and finished as the league’s top scorer in 2010 before moving to Manchester City, where he went on to win two Premier League titles.