1. FC Union Berlin have signed Kevin Volland from AS Monaco, with the 15-time German international coming to strengthen Union’s attack for the 2023/24 season.

Around Germany, on to France and back

The 31-year-old Volland's father, former international ice hockey player Andreas Volland, watched Kevin step onto the pitch for the first time at only three years old, just an hour away from his birthplace in Marktoberdorf. But after ten years at FC Thalhofen and one season each at FC Memmingen and TSG Thannhausen, the 14-year-old was drawn to TSV 1860 München's academy in 2007. It was there, having passed through both the U17s, and the U19s, the left-footer finally made his debut in German professional football in August 2010.

Within only six months, his potential and all-round attacking performances shown started to attract the attentions of clubs in the top flight. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim signed Volland in January 2011, but left him on loan in Munich for the second half of that, and for the following season.

It was at TSG when ultimately Kevin finally made it to the Bundesliga in August 2012, and he can look back on 36 goals and 39 assists in 144 appearances at the end of his four years in Sinsheim. Now an international, Volland then moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the summer of 2016, where Kevin enjoyed his most successful time as a professional to date. In 148 games for the “Werkself”, he scored 50 times and provided 32 assists, as well as making his first appearances in the UEFA Champions League and later in the UEFA Europa League.

Then, at the age of 28, the future European Championships participant was drawn abroad for the first time. AS Monaco lured the scorer of the fastest goal in Bundesliga history to the principality and achieved two third place Ligue 1 finishes with him leading the line. Volland and AS finished last season in sixth place, and were only eliminated from the UEFA Europa League in the knock out stages by Kevin's former club Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Three facts about Kevin

• Besides football, Kevin also followed in his father's footsteps, excelling at ice hockey.
• At the 2015 European Under-21 Championship, Kevin was selected for the team of the tournament.
• His hobbies include playing guitar, motorcycling and golf.

Views on the transfer

"I practically grew up in the Bundesliga and never lost sight of it,” said a smiling Volland after the completion of his transfer. “I'm delighted that I'm now getting another chance to play at the highest level here at Union. The club and the team have a lot planned for the coming period, and I want to do my best to play my part."

"We sensed in all our conversations with Kevin how much he wanted to return to Germany and the Bundesliga,” said Union’s director of men’s professional football, Oliver Ruhnert, meanwhile. “He has proven his qualities in front of goal both nationally and internationally over all these years. We are looking forward to having a player who can be used in flexible attacking ways."