Edin Dzeko speaks on decision to re-sign with Schalke 04

Edin Dzeko speaks on decision to re-sign with Schalke 04 Edin Dzeko has revealed that he rejected three other opportunities before signing a one-year contract extension with Schalke 04. The 40-year-old striker insists that continuing his career away from Gelsenkirchen was never under serious consideration. Schalke officially confirmed Džeko’s new deal through 2027 on Monday . The veteran forward returned to the Bundesliga after helping die Königsblauen secure promotion last season. Dzeko explained that Schalke coaches, officials and teammates repeatedly contacted him following the expiration of his previous contract on June 30.  The former Wolfsburg and Manchester City striker had nevertheless decided from the outset that he wished to return. His close relationship with head coach Miron Muslic also influenced the decision. Džeko believes that he can still contribute at Bundesliga level and stressed that Muslić’s confidence remains particularly important at this stage of his career. The Bosnian international will also relocate his family from Florence to Gelsenkirchen. Dzeko revealed that his daughter had already expressed a desire to live in Germany during the World Cup. Edin Dzeko’s press conference statements “I still want to play football,” Dzeko said in response to one question. “I still have something to offer and can help Schalke out. I’m certain of that in any case. If I didn’t [have something left to give], I would have remained on vacation.” “My wife and kids told me that I should keep playing,” Dzeko added in response to a later question. “[They said] ‘We don’t want you at home’. My mother and father also told me, provided I still felt fit, that I should continue.” GGFN  |  Peter Weis