transfers
After Gosens now Volland: Union Berlin with the next coup
Kevin Volland’s move to Union Berlin is perfect. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
Robin Gosens on defense, now Kevin Volland on attack. 1. FC Union is gearing up for the first Champions League season.
The transfer of the 15-time national player and EM participant in 2021 had already been indicated in the past few days. As usual, the Berliners did not provide any information about the transfer fee or the contract period. As reported by “Bild”, the attacker should cost four million euros plus possible bonuses and hire in Berlin for three years. In Monaco, Volland was no longer the first choice.
“He has proven his qualities in front of goal nationally and internationally over the years. We are looking forward to this offensively flexible player,” said Oliver Ruhnert, managing director of professional football.
Volland is looking forward to the Bundesliga
Volland himself emphasized that he was a child of the Bundesliga and had never lost sight of it in Monaco. “I’m very happy that I’m still getting the chance to play at the highest level here at Union,” said the striker.
Only on Tuesday did the Berliners sign Robin Gosens. The 29-year-old is said to have cost 15 million euros. The 16-time national player would clearly be the most expensive purchase in the history of the Bundesliga promoted from 2019. Gosens last played a year and a half at Inter Milan.
Volland was under contract with Monaco for almost three years. He moved there from Bayer 04 Leverkusen in September 2020. The now 31-year-old attacker had previously gone on a goal hunt for TSV 1860 Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
“We will get more players. These are the players we wanted to get,” Ruhnert had already announced. Now he followed up with further actions to optimize the squad for the upcoming tasks in the championship, the DFB Cup and for the first time in the Champions League.
A striker will probably go – is Bonucci coming?
Just two years ago, Volland was part of the squad for the then national coach Joachim Löw. Against France (0:1) and Hungary (2:2) he was substituted on twice in the group stage. He could not prevent the round of 16 knockout against England. Volland played his last international match in November 2021 in the World Cup qualifier in Armenia (4-1). He was then no longer considered by national coach Hansi Flick. At Union, the fast offensive man, like Gosens, would like to recommend himself for the home European Championship next year.
Volland’s commitment means that at least one attacker from coach Urs Fischer’s squad is likely to continue. Jordan Siebatcheu is considered a candidate for a loan deal. Top scorer Sheraldo Becker has been flirting with a move to the English Premier League for some time. The Italian European champion Leonardo Bonucci is also traded at Union as a further obligation for the defensive. The 36-year-old has played 122 caps for the Squadra Azzurra. His contract with Juventus expires next summer.