Union's home-grown talent Laurenz Dehl is moving to SK Austria Klagenfurt after 1. FC Union Berlin cancelled the contract of the 22-year-old.

Red and white becomes purple and white

The midfielder joined 1. FC Union Berlin back in 2011, progressing through all the club's youth teams. In his last season as a youth player, he was made captain and scored five goals in eight games, assisting in another four. The following summer, Dehl was loaned out to Hallescher FC, a move followed by loan spells in the Irish Premier League with Bohemians and Regionalliga club FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin. The 22-year-old made his first competitive appearance for Union's men's first team in the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg against Kuopion Palloseura in August 2021, coming on as a substitute just a few minutes before the end. Dehl has already played a total of 40 professional games in his young career.

The views on the farewell

"I'm very grateful to the club for everything they've done for me over the last few years,” said Dehl following the confirmation of his move. “I've always done my best to assert myself at the club, but now I'm looking forward to my new role. Nevertheless, Union will remain in my heart forever."

"Laurenz has worked hard in recent years to gain a foothold in professional football,” said Union’s director of men’s professional football, Oliver Ruhnert. “He has never let setbacks get him down and has always remained positive. These qualities will certainly help him in the next stage of his career. We would like to thank him for his achievements and wish him all the best."