Blendi Idrizi extends his contract until 2024

“Blendi has developed tremendously here at Schalke,” said sporting director Rouven Schröder. “His performances in the U23s earned him a chance in the Bundesliga and he gained important experience during an extremely difficult period for the club. His good displays this season have made him an important part of the team. We’re delighted that another player from the academy has established themselves in the first team and that he will continue his journey with us.”

Idrizi has returned to Gelsenkirchen this week after featuring for Kosovo’s national team during the recent international break. He was equally happy about his contract extension: “The club has shown a lot of faith in me over the past few months and gave me the chance to make the jump from the fourth division to the second. I’m really thankful for that and I want to give my all in the coming years to help establish Schalke in the top flight once again.”

The midfielder, born in Bonn, played for Bonner SC and 1. FC Köln’s youth academies. After spells at BW Friesdorf, Alemannia Aachen and Fortuna Köln, the 23-year-old moved to Schalke’s U23s in 2020. He made his first-team debut in the Bundesliga last May after good performances in the Regionalliga and scored his first professional goal a week later. He then won his first cap for the Kosovo national team and has played four times for them in total. This season, Idrizi has appeared 17 times in the league, scoring one goal.