Edin Dzeko leaves Serie A strugglers Fiorentina for Schalke

Edin Dzeko has left Fiorentina to join Schalke on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The 39-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina forward, who has started just two games in Serie A this season, has reportedly signed a performance-based contract with the Bundesliga 2 leaders that does not include an option to extend beyond this summer.

The move marks a return to Germany for Dzeko, who spent three and a half seasons at Wolfsburg – with whom he won the Bundesliga title in 2009 – before joining Manchester City in January 2011.

Edin Dzeko: ‘I only wanted to come to Schalke’

“I arrived last night,” said Dzeko. “All in all, it took almost three weeks, because a lot of things had to fall into place. But from day one, my heart was set on it. I only wanted to come to Schalke.” 

Dzeko joined Fiorentina on a free transfer last summer after completing a two-year contract with Fenerbahce. His one year-deal with the Viola included an option for a further year, but has now been terminated by mutual agreement.

“ACF Fiorentina announces that it has permanently sold the performance rights of the player Edin Dzeko to FC Schalke 04,” the club announced in a statement.

Dzeko will now seek to return Schalke to the German top-flight for the first time since 2023. 

Dzeko: ‘A lot of people said I was crazy’

“A lot of people said I was crazy, but I don’t see it like that,” said the Bosnia and Herzegovina captain. “I’m fully committed to Schalke. From my time at Wolfsburg, I know how amazing it is to play here.”

The forward added that the presence of head coach Miron Muslic, who has guided Schalke to a dozen wins from their 18 league outings this season, played a role in his decision to leave Italy.

“We both come from Bosnia [and Herzegovina] and have been away from home for a long time,” said Dzeko. “We’ve each gone our own way. Miron is a young coach who showed early on what he’s capable of. I’m here to help move the team forward.

“It’s impressive to see how the team has developed this season after some difficult years. Now I want to give everything so that we can be successful together in the second half of the campaign.”

Why Dzeko could be poised to set a new Bundesliga 2 record

Dzeko scored 66 league goals in 111 appearances for Wolfsburg, a club record in the Bundesliga. Should he add to his tally on German soil for Schalke, he would overtake Helmut Haller as the oldest Bundesliga 2 scorer in history.

Dzeko, who won two Premier League titles with City, spent seven seasons in Serie A with Roma and Internazionale before joining Fenerbahçe. He arrives at Schalke with the club four points clear of second-placed Elversberg. 

“After our initial contact, Edin made it clear very quickly just how keen he was on the move,” said Youri Mulder, Schalke’s director of professional football. “With Edin, we’re bringing in a striker who has performed at the very highest level throughout his career. 

“Alongside his experience as a leader, our team will benefit from his abilities as a target man and goalscorer. He showed very clearly how hungry he is for a successful second half of the season with us during our conversations, and we’re really looking forward to that.”

Dzeko could make his Schalke debut at Arena AufSchalke against Kaiserslautern on Saturday.