Edin Dzeko Eager To Contribute At Fiorentina After Returning To Italy

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Edin Dzeko expressed his eagerness to join Fiorentina when his agent informed him of their interest. The Bosnia and Herzegovina captain signed with the Italian club on a free transfer, marking his return to Serie A after two years at Fenerbahce. Dzeko agreed to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, aiming to contribute his experience to Fiorentina's growth.

Before moving to Fenerbahce in 2023, Dzeko spent eight seasons in Serie A with Roma and Inter. He notably won the Capocannoniere award in the 2016-17 season by scoring 29 goals. Now at 39, he looks forward to playing into his 40s and helping Fiorentina improve. "Ambition is the foundation of everything else," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Dzeko emphasised the importance of ambition for achieving significant results. He stated, "First and foremost, I expect a lot from myself, and I also have to put myself at the service of the younger players." His focus remains on team success rather than personal milestones like goals or assists.

The veteran striker joins an attacking lineup featuring Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean. Kean scored 25 goals across all competitions last season. "They are both great players," Dzeko remarked. He believes that great players should play together without competition among them.

Fiorentina reached the Conference League final in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. They finished sixth in Serie A last season, their best result in a decade. Stefano Pioli will lead them this campaign after Raffaele Palladino's departure by mutual consent.

Dzeko recalled his childhood memories of Gabriel Batistuta playing for Fiorentina in Champions League matches. He noted that despite losing three finals recently, Fiorentina showed determination by reaching those stages. Hiring Pioli, who has a winning track record, aims to enhance their performance further.

Dzeko's Motivation and Past Success

The former Manchester City striker is motivated to replicate his past achievements in Italy. During his previous stint in Serie A, he scored 107 goals and won two Coppa Italia titles with Inter. Additionally, he was part of a team that finished as Champions League runners-up in 2023.

"When my agent told me about Fiorentina, I wanted to sign immediately," Dzeko reflected. He had no other plans but to return to Italy and join a prominent club like Fiorentina.

Dzeko aims to support his teammates' development while prioritising team objectives over personal accolades. "I've always thought about the team before myself," he said, highlighting his commitment to strengthening those around him.