Lennard Maloney has left 1. FC Union Berlin to join Borussia Dortmund's U23 team.

The central defender was a product of Union's youth academy, having joined the club back in 2012. Maloney received his first professional contract in 2017 and he made his debut for Union in April 2018 at Greuther Fürth in the 2.Bundesliga. Although Berlin-born, Maloney took up his American nationality and received a cap for the U20 national team. He spent last season on loan at Chemnitz in Germany's third division, making eight appearances.

"Young players need to be playing regularly to develop and improve. Lennard probably wouldn't have had that chance with us this season, so the move makes perfect sense. Sure, it's a pity to let a player leave who comes from your own academy, but from our point of view, the transfer is the right decision. We wish Lennard all the best for the future and we'll always follow his career," said Oliver Ruhnert, Director for Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin.