Union Berlin has been active in the transfer market, recently securing the signing of Serbian striker Andrej Ilic on a permanent four-year deal after a successful loan spell from Lille OSC. Ilic impressed during the latter half of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, finishing as Union’s second-highest scorer with seven goals. The club’s leading scorer from last season, Benedict Hollerbach, has since joined Mainz. Union’s management praised Ilic’s integration, physical presence, and goal-scoring instinct, seeing his continued stay as a boost for the squad[1].
The club has also moved to strengthen their goalkeeping options by acquiring Matheo Raab from Hamburger SV for €400,000. Raab is expected to serve as the backup to Frederik Rönnow but will compete for the starting role, adding depth and competition to the squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign[7].
Union Berlin extended the contract of Livan Burcu, a promising Turkish U-21 international who recently impressed on loan at 1. FC Magdeburg. Burcu contributed three goals and seven assists in 31 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga and is now aiming to take on more responsibility with Union’s first team[3].
Preseason preparations are underway, with Union Berlin set to play a friendly against Grün-Weiss Ahrensfelde on July 13, 2025. Under coach Steffen Baumgart, the team enters this match following a 2-1 away victory over FC Augsburg and is aiming to build form and momentum for the coming Bundesliga season[5].