Union Berlin has further strengthened their squad with the addition of Brenden Aaronson and is on the verge of breaking their transfer record. The ambitious moves in the transfer market align with the club's new status after their impressive fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga last season.
Embed from Getty Images
Union Berlin has made their first-ever foray into Champions League football and has done so with Sheraldo Becker and Danilho Doekhi as key contributors. However, they will face increased competition next season as the squad is being bolstered. This Sunday, the club from Berlin confirmed the loan signing of Brenden Aaronson (pictured). The 22-year-old attacking midfielder from the United States joins from Leeds United, who were relegated from the Premier League.
Aaronson is already the fourth significant addition to the team. Defensive midfielder Alex Kral has been loaned from Spartak Moscow, Mikkel Kaufmann has arrived from FC Copenhagen, and he may form a striking partnership with Becker. Center-back Diogo Leite has been acquired permanently from FC Porto after a loan spell last season.
According to Kicker, Union Berlin is also set to break their transfer record by signing Atilla Szalai from Fenerbahçe. Reportedly, an agreement has already been reached for the 25-year-old Hungarian center-back, with a transfer fee of €14 million. Union has never paid more than €10 million for a single player before.
Qualifying for the Champions League has created a new reality for coach Urs Fischer's team, who may give Rick van Drongelen a chance in the preseason. The 24-year-old Dutchman has returned after a loan spell at Hansa Rostock but will now face increased competition in Berlin. Union's new Bundesliga season begins on August 19 with a home match against FSV Mainz 05.
