1
Schalke 04 have offset a pair of significant setbacks by officially confirming that veteran striker Edin Džeko will remain in Gelsenkirchen for the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.
The Royal Blues began Monday by confirming Robin Gosens’ thigh injury, while Jesper Lindstrøm’s proposed move from Napoli collapsed following disagreements over the structure of a €5m purchase mechanism. Both developments were covered in Get German Football News’ latest Schalke squad update.
Dzeko’s extension nevertheless provides the newly promoted club with a considerable boost. The 40-year-old has signed a one-year contract through summer 2027 and will continue wearing Schalke’s number 10 shirt.
Sport Bild reports that Džeko will receive an annual base salary of approximately €900,000. Performance-related bonuses could increase his earnings to €1.3m, placing him among Schalke’s highest-paid players alongside Gosens, Kenan Karaman, and Loris Karius.
GGFN reported last week that Schalke and Džeko had reached a contract agreement, with only the remaining medical and administrative formalities delaying official confirmation.
The comparatively inexpensive signing of Maximilian Wöber reportedly created additional room within Schalke’s wage budget. The Austrian defender joined on a free transfer and signed a heavily performance-related contract because of his recent injury history.
Edin Dzeko returns to Bundesliga after promotion contribution
Džeko joined Schalke during the winter transfer window and immediately assumed a central role in the club’s successful promotion campaign.
The Bosnia & Herzegovina international registered six goals and three assists in 11 second-tier appearances despite missing several weeks with a shoulder injury. His performances helped Schalke secure the 2. Bundesliga title and return to the top flight after three seasons away.
The coming campaign will mark Džeko’s first Bundesliga season since leaving Wolfsburg in January 2011. The experienced centre-forward has recorded 66 goals and 27 assists in 111 German top-flight appearances.
Džeko won the Bundesliga title with Wolfsburg in 2009 and finished as the division’s leading scorer with 22 goals one year later. At 40 years and more than five months, he is now set to become one of the ten oldest players in Bundesliga history.
Schalke will primarily focus on avoiding an immediate return to the second division. Džeko’s experience, leadership, and ability to convert limited opportunities should remain valuable even if head coach Miron Muslić manages the veteran’s minutes carefully.
Statements on Edin Dzeko’s extension
“Edin gave Schalke something special during his first four and a half months,” director of professional football Youri Mulder said. “He was a leader, a fan favourite, and a role model.”
“The Bundesliga promotion is one of the highlights of my career,” Džeko added. “I remain hungry for more, and I want to help our team in the Bundesliga.”
