Laurenz Dehl and Maurice Miguel Noel Opfermann Acones have been given their first professional contracts by 1. FC Union Berlin.

Dehl, a versatile midfielder, has developed through Union's youth teams and played last season in the club's U19 which compete at Bundesliga level. The 19-year-old wore the captain's armband on four occasions and was given his chance to show his quality by head coach Urs Fischer in the first-team operation.

Likewise, Maurice Opfermann has impressed in his training stints with this first-team. The 19-year-old midfielder asserted himself in the U19 fold across the 2017/18 season with two goals and an assist for Union Berlin.

"We have been watching both players for quite some time and are very impressed with their development as footballers and as people. As a club, we attach great importance to giving our youths the opportunity to prove themselves. Both Laurenz Dehl and Maurice Opfermann had repeatedly shown that they deserve this opportunity. I'm keen to observe their professional careers," said Oliver Ruhnert, Director for Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin.

Dehl and Opfermann sign two-year-deals and receive contracts which are valid for Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga competitions.