German club takes a gamble: this new signing is too good for their league | OneFootball

At FC Schalke 04, no risks are being avoided this winter. After three years in the 2nd Bundesliga, the goal is finally to achieve promotion to the Bundesliga. And for that, the club is going all in!

This became clear with the signing of superstar Edin Dzeko. But just a few days after the big transfer coup, the Royal Blues followed up. Dejan Ljubicic is moving from the Croatian top club Dinamo Zagreb to Gelsenkirchen for around one million euros (including bonuses).

Ljubicic excited for "super challenge"

At first glance, this move for the 28-year-old Austrian seems almost like a step back. In Zagreb, Ljubicic was an undisputed regular player, a Europa League participant, and the leader of the Croatian league.

However, Schalke coach Miron Muslic seems to have played a decisive role. According to 'Bild' information, he convinced Ljubicic in a personal conversation to join the S04 project. Additionally, according to statements from Zagreb President Zvonimir Boban, personal circumstances also played a crucial role in his departure.

The midfielder himself is still enthusiastic: "For me, Schalke 04 is a super challenge in the current situation," he said at his introduction. The aim is to return to the Bundesliga. And immediately.

📸 DAMIR SENCAR - AFP or licensors

Grump or Gentleman?

Because Ljubicic knows from personal experience how to achieve promotion. Just last summer, he won the championship with 1. FC Köln in the 2nd Bundesliga. After four years in the cathedral city, he moved on a free transfer to Dinamo, where he fulfilled his dream of international competition. But after just half a year, he returned to Germany. According to 'Sportske novosti', the Vienna native was dissatisfied with the style of play and showed it on the field. Criticism from the fans was not long in coming.

On the other hand, there are also the words of club president Boban. He described his former player as "an exceptional person, football professional, and player, to whom we are grateful for everything he gave to our club in this short time."

And yet: Ljubicic not always finding an easy connection with his clubs is by no means new. Even in Cologne, he publicly flirted with a departure; in 2023, a transfer to VfL Wolfsburg fell through. In 2024, after FC's relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga, he again expressed a desire to move.

The nine-time Austrian national player has ambitious goals: "One day I want to play in the Champions League," he once said. A move to the 2nd Bundesliga doesn't really fit that picture. Nevertheless, he stayed and contributed significantly to the immediate promotion with four goals and three assists in 27 games.

A congenial partner for Dzeko

Schalke now hopes for a similar impact. The quality of the midfielder is beyond question. Ljubicic has already scored two Europa League goals this season and undoubtedly possesses strengths that will benefit Schalke's game. Sporting director Youri Mulder stated upon announcing the transfer: "He quickly recognizes spaces, makes clean decisions, and structures the game from the center. Additionally, he brings high game intelligence."

A technically skilled player like Ljubicic indeed fits perfectly into the sometimes hectic, intensity-focused Schalke squad and could instill the necessary control into the often wild play of the Knappen.

However, a question mark remains over Mulder's assessment that Ljubicic is a "reliable team player." A look at recent years shows that the ÖFB star is not always predictable, flirts with departures, and can sometimes act moody.

But if Schalke is going all in and bringing in a 39-year-old Edin Dzeko to achieve promotion to the Bundesliga, then they can also try with a player who occasionally experiences mood swings. Because one thing Ljubicic has in common with his new teammate: He is actually overqualified for the 2nd Bundesliga.

Fans might be able to admire these qualifications as early as Saturday afternoon at the "small Revierderby" against VfL Bochum. After three winless games in a row, Schalke urgently needs a success against their Ruhr rival. Can Ljubicic initiate the turnaround and lead the Blues back to the Bundesliga?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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