Kenan Karaman named 2025/26 Bundesliga 2 Player of the Season!
Kenan Karaman took your votes to beat teammate Loris Karius and be named Bundesliga 2’s Player of the Season for 2025/26, capping off an excellent campaign for the Schalke captain after leading the Royal Blues to promotion.
The 32-year-old led the way at the Veltins-Arena with 14 goals and five assists as Schalke finally ended their three-year Bundesliga hiatus by finishing as champions of the second division. Of course, it had to be Karaman who hit the decisive goal to secure promotion in the 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Watch: Karaman's best goals on the road to promotion
“We as a club, a city and everyone here have waited long enough for this. I’m really happy we’re going back to where we belong. I’m so proud of everyone,” the skipper stated afterwards, adding that his team’s promotion makes him “mega emotional”. That’s because the former Turkey international has been there throughout Schalke’s struggles to get back on their feet, trying his hardest to turn things around by scoring at least 13 goals in all three seasons since relegation.
Watch: Schalke are back where they belong
The love for their captain in Gelsenkirchen is clear for all to see. “It’s really special for me. Love is a two-way street,” Karaman said of frequent chants of his name. A recent viral video of one of his passionate team talks in the changing room showed just how much he identifies with the club.
And Karaman was once again the centre of Schalke attention after the final game of the season at home to Eintracht Braunschweig where he got to lift the Bundesliga 2 trophy that officially marked the Royal Blues’ return to Germany’s biggest stage.
“The whole region is already waiting for Bundesliga fixtures. There’s nothing greater than playing at 3.30pm on a Saturday,” their leader declared after promotion was secured. Very few of a Schalke allegiance would dare disagree with their captain.
