Kenan Karaman: The whole region is ready for the Bundesliga

It’s possible that Karaman could still catch up to the 24 combined goals and assists put up by Noel Futkeu (SpVgg Greuther Fürth), Fabian Reese (Hertha BSC) and Marvin Wanitzek (Karlsruher SC) with a particularly outstanding individual display at home against Eintracht Braunschweig on the final day of the season.

For Schalke’s number 19, though, the most important thing by far is the success that the team as a whole have managed to achieve. He himself has made a huge contribution to the Knappen’s success over recent weeks and months. At his core, Karaman is a team player. S04’s promotion back to the Bundesliga is a dream fulfilled for the forward, as he mentioned two years ago upon extending his contract at the club.

Schalke’s second-division specialist in front of goal

Karaman recently wrote his name into the S04 history books with a special personal achievement. The 32-year-old can now claim to be Schalke’s record goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga. Having racked up 13 goals in each of the previous two campaigns, another 14 put away this season brings him to an impressive overall tally of 40 goals in the division.

Another Royal Blue who had no difficulty finding the back of the net was Simon Terodde. Schalke’s 2022 promotion hero now works as a pundit for Sky, and was assigned to the game away at 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday night (9/5).

After the referee called time at the sold-out Max-Morlock-Stadion this weekend, Karaman and Terodde both took part in a post-match interview. Karaman made it clear during the chat just how much he admires the man he once upon a time shared the pitch with: “I learnt so much from Simon. He was an incredible teammate and captain.”

Terodde was also clearly thrilled that FC Schalke 04 and the club’s fanbase will soon get to experience Bundesliga football in the VELTINS-Arena again when the new season kicks off. Karaman, for one, is beyond excited for the release of the fixture list: “The whole region is ready for life in the Bundesliga. Saturday, half past three – it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Honouring the captain

Just how deeply the Schalke fans appreciate their captain was obvious to anybody watching the Knappen this weekend. The chants of “Kenan Karaman” could be heard echoing round the ground again and again on Saturday night. “It’s a brilliant feeling,” said the visibly moved 32-year-old, whose goal against Fortuna Düsseldorf exactly a week before sealed the Knappen’s promotion ahead of their matchday 33 trip to close friends 1. FC Nürnberg.

Despite the 3-0 defeat in Nuremberg, pride in what they had achieved together quickly outweighed the disappointment after the final whistle. The Schalke fans cheered for their team for several minutes, while the FCN supporters also congratulated the Royal Blues on their promotion with two large banners. Karaman therefore headed home in high spirits together with the squad and many of the club’s behind-the-scenes staff, with the party very much continuing on the train back to Gelsenkirchen.

The season’s grand finale will take place at the VELTINS-Arena on the last matchday of 2025/26. Following the final whistle of the clash with Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday (17/5), Karaman will lift the 2. Bundesliga trophy high into the air. Uncontrollable emotions are once again something of a guarantee, and as the captain himself put it: “The fans have earned this promotion – they deserve it. I’m absolutely over the moon that we’ve been able to bring the supporters so much joy this season.”