The 20-year-old central defender Leopold Querfeld has joined 1. FC Union Berlin from Vienna’s SK Rapid. The Austrian European Championship participant is looking forward to the new challenge in the Bundesliga.

From youth player to defensive leader

Querfeld began his football career at Union Mauer and moved to the youth section of SK Rapid at the age of nine. From the 2017/18 season on, he played in the club's academy.

Querfeld made his debut for Rapid’s second team in the 2nd division in October 2020, coming on as a half-time substitute against SC Austria Lustenau on matchday seven of the 2020/21 season. In November 2021, he made his first appearance in the first team squad and played his first match in the UEFA Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb. The central defender scored his first goal for the professional team against RB Salzburg.

Last season, the Vienna-born defender appeared in 28 of 32 matches, scoring three goals and was made captain in two matches after head coach Robert Klauß’s regular skipper, Guido Burgstaller, was ruled out due to a suspension. At the age of 20, Querfeld already has 125 professional appearances to his name.

After playing for Austria's U18, U19 and U21 teams, the 6’2” defender was called up to the senior national team squad for the first time this spring. In March, he was in the starting eleven in a friendly against Slovakia, making his full international debut. In May 2024, he was nominated for Austria's provisional squad for the 2024 European Championship and eventually made it into the final squad. Austria will face France, the Netherlands and Poland in Group D.

Three facts about Leopold Querfeld

• Querfeld is the youngest player in the Austrian national team's current European Championship squad.
• He finished as a runner-up in the ÖFB Pokal last season with SK Rapid Wien.
• In his spare time, Querfeld has developed a passion for drawing and enjoys designing trainers and hoodies.

Views on the transfer

"The move to 1. FC Union Berlin is a very special one for me,” said Querfeld on his move to the German capital. “I strive to improve every day and gain a lot of experience at the highest level. At Union and in the Bundesliga, I see very good conditions for this and am ready for the tasks ahead. I'm particularly looking forward to the atmosphere at the home games and can hardly wait to play in front of the fans.”

Oliver Ruhnert, director of men's professional professional football at 1. FC Union Berlin, meanwhile had this to say, “Leo is without doubt one of the most sought-after central defenders of his age and has shown how strong his performance development is, not least with his final call-up to Austria's European Championship squad. With him, we are gaining a physically strong and courageous young player who will strengthen our defensive line. Bringing him to Berlin despite many other offers shows the close coordination of everyone involved and makes me very happy."