Blendi Idrizi had been under contract with FC Schalke 04 since the start of 2020. Now he is leaving the club with emotional words.

Schalke 04 is currently going from strength to strength, the club is cleaning up after a disappointing season in Bundesliga 2 and wants to start the coming season with a revamped squad.

Blendi Idrizi will also no longer be part of the squad. The 26-year-old’s contract will not be extended. His substitution in the 2-0 defeat to Greuther Fürth in the season finale will be his last of a total of 43 appearances for the Royal Blues.

On Tuesday, the midfielder took to Instagram to send a farewell message to the S04 fans. “It was an honor to have played for you here. You are unique and have always supported me and the team over the past few years. Thank you very much for that,” wrote Idrizi.

The Kosovo international has been under contract in Gelsenkirchen since the start of 2020 – initially in the regional league team. Where he will continue his career is unknown. Idrizi: “Now it’s time to break new ground. But I’m taking so many unforgettable moments with me that I’ll remember forever. You will always have a special place in my heart. “

Idrizi experienced turbulent times at the club. After a year and a half in the U23s, he made his professional debut towards the end of the 2020/21 season after relegation was already certain. The Bonn-born player had a turbulent time: sometimes a regular, sometimes a wild card, sometimes in the stands. In the 2022/23 season, he also played for Jahn Regensburg on loan. Idrizi was supposed to leave last summer, but he impressed in the preparations and fought his way back into the team.

Now the former Alemannia Aachen and Fortuna Köln player’s time at Schalke is definitely over. He scored three goals and provided six assists in 43 professional appearances. He also made 39 appearances for the U23s (nine goals, eight assists).