Schalke set to bring former 1. FC Köln man Dejan Ljubicic back to Germany | OneFootball

Multiple reliable footballing sources are currently reporting that Schalke are on the verge of signing former 1. FC Köln star Dejan Ljubicic. The 2. Bundesliga leaders were actually recently linked with a swoop for 1. FC Union Berlin striker Marin Ljubicic (no relation to Dejan), but have fulfilled their needs at the striker position by bringing in former Wolfsburg star Edin Dzeko. 

Croatian online portal Sportske Novosti, Sky Germany and the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung all report that the nine-times-capped Austrian international is headed to Gelsenkirchen to conclude negotiations for his S04 move this weekend. Ljubicic only just departed the cathedral city club on a free transfer this past summer. A brief stint with Dinamo Zagreb hasn’t worked out for them.

Dejan Ljubicic wishes to return to Germany

Köln signed Ljubicic on a free transfer from SK Rapid Wien on a free transfer ahead of the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign. The flexible midfielder/winger scored eight Bundesliga goals in 83 top flight appearances over the next three seasons. The Vienna-native also performed well for Köln during their lone season in the 2. Bundesliga after relegation, yet opted not to extend his expiring contract. 

Sky reports that Ljubicic is dissatisfied with his sporting and personal situation in the Croatian capital. Ljubicic still hasn’t earned an Austrian cap since 2023. Schalke head coach Miron Muslic – also an Austrian of Bosnian descent – has taken some initiative recruiting Ljubicic over to the Königsblauen project. Dzeko’s recent arrival surely helps as well. 

GGFN | Peter Weis