Five years ago, Torsten Mattuschka hung up the Union shirt for a final time.

A player who combined moments of offensive brilliance and an endearing work ethic, Mattuschka can be regarded as the most popular player in 1. FC Union Berlin’s modern history. Born in Cottbus, Mattuschka wore the shirt of his local club, Energie Cottbus, but earned a warm place in the heart of Union supporters over his nine-year association with the Köpenick club.

“Tusche” battled his own demons to get to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. His route to professional football was challenged, too. Diet was an afterthought, as was alcohol on the weekends. Breakfasts (and sometimes lunch) in those days consisted of currywurst when he was on his painting apprenticeship. Although he weighed 98 kilograms, 100 goals in 100 games for seventh-tier Dissenchen caught the eye of Energie Cottbus, who signed him in 2002.

Mattuschka switched from Cottbus to 1. FC Union Berlin, aged 24, for the start of the 2005/06 season. His weight was down by about a quarter but that wasn't his primary concern as a professional footballer. Union Berlin had just been relegated for the second consecutive season, this time from the Regionalliga Nord to the Oberliga. However, with the help of Mattuschka’s early influence in Köpenick — he scored eight goals in his first full season — the club returned to Germany’s then-third tier of domestic football.

A highlight for the player known as the “cult footballer with a belly” was the record 8-0 destruction of rivals BFC Dynamo in August 2005. Mattuschka ran the show in 32 degree heat at the Stadion An der Alte Försterei and put the home side into a two-goal lead before the break. That side, which also included current assistant coach Sebastian Bönig and striker Karim Benyamina, enjoyed a satisfying domination of their former GDR rivals.

Uwe Neuhaus handed Mattuschka the captain’s armband in 2010 as the player rediscovered his scoring touch after a couple of barren years. Union, now establishing themselves in the 2.Bundesliga, needed a leader on the pitch. He charmed the crowds, not for being perfect, but for representing honest football. The supporters recognised his talents and flaws, his honesty and dedication to the cause. Back then, it was a cause to cling on to football’s romanticism in a rapidly-changing arena. Union and “Tusche” was simply a perfect match.

One of his earliest and finest contributions as captain, the winning goal to beat Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion in February 2011 is treasured most by the Union faithful. In the 71^st minute, Mattuschka stepped over a free-kick with the game tied at 1-1, and with one of his scruffiest efforts, the ball was parried home in front of 20,000 Union supporters. Tusche said after the game it was the best moment of his career, but in his own style, joked it was one of the worst free-kicks he had ever taken.

His style — “Tusche Kreisel” — was celebrated on Union’s terraces. He would control the ball with balance and poise, brushing off players and playing 50-60 yard passes across the pitch. When the chips were down, Mattuschka had a habit of stepping to the fore with important goals, particularly from set-piece situations. In all, "Tusche" scored 61 goals and assisted 62 in 281 competitive matches — 42 goals and 47 assists in 171 appearances in Germany's second-highest division.

Though the cult hero has ended his playing career, Mattuschka still has an influence in the capital. His future lies in the coaching sphere where he has stepped up to assistant coach at fourth-tier VSG Altglienicke. But he still continues to make dazzling appearances for Union’s masters team, where he won the club’s first-ever AOK Masters title in January 2018.

And his own song lives on.

Torsten Mattuschka, du bist der beste Mann!

Torsten Mattuschka, du kannst was keiner kann!

Torsten Mattuschka, hau ihn rein für den Verein!