1. FC Union Berlin have signed goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, completing the squad’s cast of keepers for the season. Schwolow had been under contract at Hertha BSC but the agreement was recently terminated by mutual consent.

Bright beginnings and harder times

Schwolow began his football career in his hometown of Wiesbaden, before ultimately joining Freiburg Sport Club’s U-16’s. It was with their U-19’s that the then 18-year-old celebrated his first success in 2011 when SCF won the German Cup. He captained the team at the time. In the 2014/15 season, Schwolow went on loan to Arminia Bielefeld helping them to their promotion to the 2. Liga.

After his return to Freiburg (also in the second-division at the time) he secured promotion to the German top flight as their regular goalkeeper. The 6’2” Schwolow played 125 times in the Bundesliga before leaving the south of Germany for the capital, joining Hertha BSC in 2020. After three difficult years fighting relegation, and a temporary loan to FC Schalke 04 last season, he is now to turn out for Union.

Three facts about Alexander:

• He won the "Golden Glove" for the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in 2017/18.
• Schwolow played both on the field and in goal up until he was a D-youth player.
• He made four appearances for Germany's U-20's alongside Robin Knoche.

Views on the transfer

"Union have developed impressively over the past few years and offer an excellent environment, one in which work is done in a highly professional, calm and expert manner,” said Schwolow on his move to Köpenick. “I am a convinced team player. I know what I can do and I am very happy to make an active contribution here so that the coming season will be another successful one for the Eisernen."

"Alex is a seasoned Bundesliga goalkeeper,” said Union’s director of men’s professional football, Oliver Ruhnert, meanwhile. “Despite his difficult recent situation, he was quick to accept the challenge of coming to Union in order to regain his old strengths. With the necessary patience, we are sure that this will succeed, and that he will increase our options."