GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Edin Dzeko wants to return to Germany and play more to help Bosnia earn a World Cup ticket.
Second-tier Schalke signed the veteran forward from Italian side Fiorentina on Thursday to boost their chances of promotion. Dzeko will turn 40 in March.
“We are signing a striker who has played at the highest level during his career. Our team will benefit from Edin’s experience as a leader and his qualities as a target man and goalscorer,” said Schalke sporting director Juri Mulder.
Dzeko wants to prove himself capable of earning a call-up to the World Cup if Bosnia qualify. In the play-off matches in March, Bosnia could first face Wales, then the winner of Italy and Northern Ireland.
Dzeko is Bosnia’s record scorer with 72 goals in 146 games.
Schalke have announced the signing of Dzeko, who will wear the number 10 shirt, for the remaining 16 games of the season.
Dzeko said he had been following Schalke’s progress since they showed interest.
“It’s very impressive how the team has grown this season after a difficult few years,” Dzeko said.
With just over half the season under way, Schalke lead Germany’s second division with a four-point lead over Elversberg and Darmstadt. The team’s success is built on solid defense. The bottom three teams have all scored more goals than Schalke.
Dzeko became a star at Wolfsburg, helping them win the Bundesliga title in 2010. He also won titles with Manchester City (2012, 2014) and Inter Milan (2022, 2023).
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