Striker Joel Pohjanpalo has swapped the Rhine for the Spree after completing a loan move from Bayer Leverkusen to 1. FC Union Berlin. 

The 32-time capped Finland internationalist will wear the number 9 shirt for the 20/21 season.

Born in Helsinki, Pohjanpalo tasted domestic success with three successive league titles at HJK Helsinki. His first port of call in Germany was VfR Aalen, eventually earning a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2014. Two years later, the centre-forward was sent on a two-year loan move to Fortuna Düsseldorf before supporting the Leverkusen squad for about 18 months. In January 2020, he agreed a short-term loan stint in Hamburg and the striker managed nine goals in 14 games for the northern German club. In his time in Germany's Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga, he has scored 34 goals in 111 matches.

"After half a year at Hamburg, it was important for me to have the chance to prove myself at the highest level and to back up my performances. Union is a great club, which I already known from my time in the 2.Bundesliga, and with whom, I'm committed to keeping in the Bundesliga. I'm already looking forward to the games at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei," said the striker.

"Joel is a player who is always dangerous in front of goal so we are happy to add him to our squad," said Oliver Ruhnert, Director of Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin. "He fits perfectly into the requirements of our profile, he is physically robust and has proven his goalscoring ability in the past. We have always emphasised that we wanted to sign another striker and are sure Pohjanpalo will be good for the squad."

Pohjanpalo's season-long loan transfer also includes a purchase option.