1. FC Union Berlin are delighted to welcome experienced midfielder Christian Gentner to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

The 33-year-old takes the Bundesliga club's new faces this summer to double figures — following Julius Kade, Florian Flecker, Moritz Nicolas, Robert Andrich, Anthony Ujah, Marcus Ingvartsen, Keven Schlotterback, Neven Subotic and Sheraldo Becker with Suleiman Abdullahi and Marvin Friedrich completing permanent transfers after their respective loan spells.

Gentner leaves his former club VfB Stuttgart following last season's relegation and at the end of his contract. Gentner won two championships — one in Stuttgart and one in Wolfsburg — during his established career in Germany's top division and won the second tier with the Swabians. He has played more than 500 times in competitive action, including six appearances in the UEFA Champions League. He has made five appearances for the German national team.

"It was always clear to me that I could and wanted to continue playing football at the highest level. The discussions with those responsible were very convincing, so my decision was quickly made. Union have developed fantastically over the past few years, and the atmosphere in the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is already a good memory for me from the promotion season," said the former Stuttgart midfielder.

"Christian Gentner has proven in his career that he is an absolute leader and can keep things ticking along. He has known the Bundesliga for more than 10 years, won two championship titles and experienced all the ups and downs of professional football. With his experience, his strength and his will to win, he will help the team on and off the pitch," added Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Director for Professional Football.

Gentner's contract is valid for Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga competitions.