Central defender Robin Knoche is the eighth incoming transfer of the summer for 1. FC Union Berlin. The 28-year-old has arrived in Berlin-Köpenick from his previous club VfL Wolfsburg following the end of his contract in Lower Saxony.

Knoche entered Wolfsburg's youth academy in 2005 and won the German youth championship in 2011. Just a few months later, Knoche made his Bundesliga debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach under the management of Felix Magath. He became a regular at the Volkswagen Arena and played 183 times in the Bundesliga, as well as, gaining experience in the Champions League and Europa League. Knoche was on the bench as Wolfsburg won the German Cup in 2016 against Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

"When you have played for a club for 15 years, a change is probably not easy for any player. Nevertheless, I'm happy to be playing for 1. FC Union Berlin now. The club has developed very well and many football fans have been surprised and enthusiastic about it over the past year. The discussions with the people in charge were extremely positive, and that was the decisive factor in my decision to join Union," said the centre back.

"With Robin Knoche, we have been able to sign a very good central defender who has enormous experience in the Bundesliga. With his excellent positional play, his height and his strong build-up play, Robin will not only strengthen our defence, but also make us more flexible in terms of our play," said Oliver Ruhnert, Director of Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin.

Knoche's contract with Union is valid for both the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga.