1. FC Union Berlin have signed 28-year-old defender Dominique Heintz from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg.

The centre back has made 181 appearances in the Bundesliga and spent the last three years of his career working under Christian Streich. With international experience at youth level, Heintz came through at 1. FC Kaiserslautern before making the transfer to 1. FC Köln in 2015. He helped the Billy Goats reach the Europa League and continued his Bundesliga journey to Freiburg, who finished the first half of the season in third place.

"Union have developed impressively over the last years," said Heintz. "They haven't only stabilised themselves in the Bundesliga but also played in Europe. After three-and-a-half years in Freiburg, I'm looking forward to the new challenge to be a part of this club."

"Dominique is an experienced player who has shown his ability in the Bundesliga. With his qualities, it will give us more flexibility. We're happy that he will take up this challenge," added Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Managing Director of Professional Football.