Union Berlin Bolsters Squad with Rising Star as Baumgart Finalizes Key Decisions Ahead of New Season
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FC Union Berlin enters the latter half of August 2025 with renewed ambition, marked by the capture of a promising young talent and a series of crucial squad decisions that could shape their upcoming Bundesliga campaign.
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With preseason matches nearly behind them and the league opener fast approaching, head coach Steffen Baumgart is working tirelessly to mold his team into a competitive force.
Bohdanov Signing Brings Fresh Energy
One of the biggest talking points at the club is the arrival of 18-year-old forward Dmytro Bohdanov from Dynamo Dresden.
The Ukrainian youth international, who relocated to Germany with his family amid the ongoing conflict in his homeland, has steadily developed through Dresden’s U17, U19, and Drittliga squads.
Although his time at Dynamo Dresden ended on a sour note after off-field challenges led to his removal from first-team training, Union Berlin saw untapped potential. The club secured his signature for a fee in the lower six-figure range and plans to integrate him into first-team training without delay.
For a side that has prided itself on smart scouting and player development, Bohdanov represents both a long-term investment and a potential short-term impact player.
Preseason Struggles Highlight Key Issues
While the signing of Bohdanov has created a buzz, Union’s preseason results have been less encouraging.
The team has gone winless in four matches, losing three of them 0–1. Such results may not directly reflect the team’s true form, but they have exposed tactical and positional questions that Baumgart must answer.
The final friendly against Olympiakos Piraeus will be an important test.
One of Baumgart’s biggest decisions lies in the defensive setup—whether to stick with young Tom Rothe in the left center-back role or restore experienced defender Diogo Leite, who has only recently returned from illness.
In midfield, Rani Khedira is expected to anchor the team, but there is healthy competition for the remaining spots.
Janik Haberer, András Schäfer, Alex Král, and Lucas Tousart all bring different strengths to the table, while the return of Aljoscha Kemlein from injury adds yet another option.
Attack Shaping Up Amid Fierce Competition
The forward line is equally competitive. Andrej Ilic has made a strong case to lead the attack after an impressive preseason, but he faces pressure from Ilyas Ansah—a €4 million summer signing from SC Paderborn—and the experienced Oliver Burke. Woo-Yeong Jeong, who is recovering from injury, is also expected to rejoin the squad soon, further increasing attacking depth.
Bohdanov’s arrival means Union now has a variety of attacking profiles to call upon, from physical target men to quick, skillful runners. Baumgart’s task will be to find the right blend to trouble Bundesliga defenses.
Summer Transfer Moves Strengthen Depth
Union’s summer window has been busy. In addition to Bohdanov, the club secured:
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Ilyas Ansah – Forward from SC Paderborn (€4M)
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Oliver Burke – Free transfer from Werder Bremen
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Benedict Hollerbach – Record €10M signing from Mainz 05
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Matheo Raab – Goalkeeper from Hamburg SV (€400K)
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Stanley Nsoki – Defender on loan from Hoffenheim with purchase option
These additions reflect a deliberate strategy to strengthen in multiple areas, providing Baumgart with a deeper squad capable of competing on several fronts.
Balancing Expectations and Ambition
Union Berlin’s recent rise has been nothing short of remarkable, evolving from relegation battlers to European contenders. However, maintaining that trajectory will require both shrewd tactical planning and careful player management.
Baumgart’s immediate priority will be to settle on his starting eleven, build cohesion, and turn preseason lessons into early-season points.
If Bohdanov fulfills his promise, and if Baumgart successfully blends new signings with established stars, Union could find themselves not only meeting expectations but exceeding them once again.
The upcoming weeks will reveal whether this summer’s work in the transfer market and on the training ground will translate into another successful chapter in Union Berlin’s story.
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