1. FC Union Berlin have signed Keven Schlotterbeck from Freiburg on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old central defender is the eighth new summer arrival — following Julius Kade, Moritz Nicolas, Florian Flecker, Robert Andrich, Anthony Ujah, Marcus Ingvartsen and Sheraldo Becker.

Schlotterbeck’s career started at Stuttgarter Kickers before he switched to TSV Backnang in 2014. He eventually made the first team — after a small stint at VfL Kirchheim at U19 level — and was scouted quickly by Freiburg. The defender signed for the U23 side, which plays in the Regionalliga Südwest and he was promoted to Christian Streich’s first team in 2018. Schlotterbeck was handed his Bundesliga debut in February this year in a 2-2 draw at VfB Stuttgart. He went on to play another eight matches, including the 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich at the end of March.

“I’m sure that the step to 1. FC Union Berlin is the right one for me. My personal goal is to gain as much playing practice and experience as possible and to help the team wherever I can. I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the club and I think that Union is just the right environment to take those next steps,” said Schlotterbeck.

“Keven Schlotterbeck is an excellent fit for our central defender profile. He is young, highly talented and has already proven his skills at the highest level in the Bundesliga. Keven was our favourite player in this position and can make our game more flexible as a left-footed player,” added Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin’s Director for Professional Football.