1. FC Union Berlin's 21-year-old defensive all-rounder Lars Dietz has joined third-division side Sportfreunde Lotte on loan until the end of the season.

"Of course it's not easy for a footballer to just sit on the bench. I have the opportunity to gain further experience and to establish myself at first-team level with the move to Lotte. The third division is an exciting and well-balanced league, with many great clubs and players and I hope I can help the team directly. We want to be successful as possible as a team and I personally want to show that I can be valuable to 1. FC Union Berlin in the future," said Dietz.

"Lars is a footballer with enormous potential and has clearly shown this in pre-season. However, it's important for a young player to get as much game time as possible. In the current set up, it would have been different for Lars to get on the pitch regularly at Union this season. The step to the third tier is therefore a good opportunity for him to develop further, gain experience and fight for his place at Union next season," added Oliver Ruhnert, Director for Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin.