transfer market
Perfect: Bonucci moves to Union – Fischer raves
Salve Berlin: Leonardo Bonucci is now wearing the Union jersey. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
First Gosens, then Volland and now a European champion. Leonardo Bonucci strengthens Bundesliga club Union Berlin in central defence.
Bundesliga soccer club After Robin Gosens and Kevin Volland, Union Berlin has signed the third big name in a short time.
Long-time Italian national player Leonardo Bonucci is moving from Serie A club Juventus Turin to Köpenick, as the Champions League participant announced. Union did not provide any information on the transfer modalities, according to media reports, the 36-year-old Italian signed a contract for one year with an option for another season.
“mentality and flexibility”
“With Leonardo we are signing a player with a lot of experience. He has proven his qualities both nationally and internationally over many years. We are convinced that with his mentality and flexibility he will expand our options in defense and raise the level even more will increase,” said Union managing director Oliver Ruhnert in the statement.
Juventus announced that an agreement had been reached with the Berliners “on the free, final sale of the player’s registration rights”. The possible transfer fee had previously been speculated. However, Ruhnert had already indicated last weekend that Bonucci might not cost a fee.
As usual, Union itself did not provide any information on the transfer modalities and contract length, according to media reports, the 36-year-old Italian signed a contract for one year with an option for another season.
Retired at Juve
At Juve, veteran Bonucci no longer played a role in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s plans and was recently excluded from the squad. The 2021 European champion still had a valid contract with the Italians until next summer. He won nine league titles with Juventus and lifted the cup four times. In 2017 he joined AC Milan for €42m but returned to Turin just a year later.
“It’s something special for me to go abroad for the first time in my career. At Union I have the opportunity to continue playing at the highest level and to support the team on their way in three demanding competitions with my experience. I’m happy very much looking forward to this new stage in my career,” said Bonucci.
Union coach Fischer raves
“He’s a tough defender with an amazing experience. You felt it somehow, his vita, his aura on the field. He has an amazing mentality,” said Union coach Urs Fischer before the home game of the Berlin Bundesliga club against RB Leipzig on Sunday (5.30 p.m. / DAZN). “He can read the game, he looks ahead,” enthused the Swiss. “One training session was almost enough to get a feel for it. You can really feel it.”
The 36-year-old could already be in the squad against Leipzig, said Fischer, even if he hadn’t completed any full preparation at Juve. “He feels good. What I saw in training looked good,” said the 57-year-old.