Has anyone had a better first four months of 2026 than Edin Džeko? If someone has, we’re yet to find them.
Little was expected when Schalke brought the veteran Bosnian hitman to the German second tier on a six-month loan deal from Fiorentina back in January. Since then, the former Wolfsburg legend has gone on an absolute tear. Dzeko netted 20 minutes into his debut, triggering a comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Kaiserslautern and becoming the oldest scorer in 2. Bundesliga history in the process.
Džeko Rolls Back the Years in Gelsenkirchen
Since then, he has gone on to add five more goals in just eight total appearances, ensuring that the Gelsenkirchen outfit remains in promotion contention. When Dzeko headed to the VELTINS-Arena, his debut goal helped his new side secure a two-point cushion at the second-tier summit. Fast forward three months, and they remain the 2. Bundesliga’s table-toppers, one point clear of Paderborn, with second-place Elversberg two points further back.
As such, online betting sites now make Schalke the clear favourites to finally secure a return to the top flight after three years away. The latest soccer betting with bitcoin odds currently position the Royal Blues as a clear even money favourite to win the 2. Bundesliga title this term, with each of their two closest rivals both out at 5/1. But that’s not all.
Not only is Džeko thriving in North Rhine-Westphalia, but he’s also led his country to its finest hour in 12 years. Now 40, the Bosnia captain nodded a late equaliser in his country’s recent playoff semifinal against Wales in Cardiff before winning a penalty shootout. They then went on to stun Italy in Sarajevo, once again winning on penalties to secure their first World Cup berth since 2014 and ensuring the Azzurri’s seemingly never-ending drought will continue into at least a 16th year.
So, with Džeko rolling back the years since making the move to Schalke in January, we decided to take a look at some of the other most successful short-term loan moves in the recent history of German football. Let’s see who makes the cut.
Jadon Sancho Returns to Dortmund
In Jadon Sancho’s initial spell with Borussia Dortmund, the Englishman quickly became one of the best wingers on the planet. 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances, a DFB Pokal triumph in 2021, the German Super Cup two years prior, and a slew of stunning highlight reel compilations prompted Manchester United to part with €85m to secure his services, but unfortunately, things wouldn’t work out at Old Trafford.
Two and a half years on from his return to England, Sancho was back at Signal Iduna Park, confidence shot to bits, with many thinking he was a shadow of the player who had left in the summer of 2021. How wrong they were. The England international immediately registered an assist in his first substitute appearance, a 3-0 win against Darmstadt, and he never looked back.
Sancho would add two more league goals to his tally to become the highest-scoring Englishman in Bundesliga history. He would also put in several blistering displays on the continent, helping Dortmund beat Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to secure a shock Champions League final appearance. The tricky English winger would start that clash against Real Madrid at Wembley, unfortunately coming out on the losing side after a 2-0 defeat, but his six months back in Dortmund will never be forgotten.
Rise of the Bats-Man
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi was supposed to be the next big thing when he arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2016 after a goal-laden stint in Ligue 1 with Marseille. By January 2018, however, he had just eight Premier League goals to his name in 48 appearances. Much like with Sancho years later, Borussia Dortmund came calling, and the “Bats-Man” immediately found his shooting boots.
Batshuayi came out of the blocks firing, netting a brace on his debut away at Koln, having a third disallowed for offside by VAR. A week later, he would score again in a 2-0 win in Hamburg, before adding two more against Atalanta in the Europa League. By the time the Belgian returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer, he had struck nine goals in 14 games, helping Dortmund squeeze into a spot in the top four, despite a three-way tie between them, third-placed Hoffenheim, and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, all of whom finished the campaign on 55 points.
Angeliño’s Short-Term Leipzig Deal Becomes Permanent
Spanish full-back Angeliño had huge expectations when he re-joined Manchester City in 2019 after a short stint with PSV Eindhoven. Within six months, however, he found himself on loan at RB Leipzig, and Pep Guardiola’s loss would end up being Julian Nagelsmann’s gain.
The left wing back would discover his best form at the Red Bull Arena, proving to be a constant menace down the left-hand side. He scored once and provided four assists for Die Roten Bulen, including assisting a last-gasp winner against Atletico Madrid to secure Leipzig’s spot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. In fact, his performances were so impressive that RB forked out €20m to make his loan move permanent in the summer of 2020.
