After two years at 1. FC Union Berlin, Marcel Hartel has left the club to join 2.Bundesliga outfit Arminia Bielefeld.

The Union number 7 joined the Köpenick club in the summer of 2017 from 1. FC Köln, his hometown team. Hartel went on to play 60 competitive appearances for Union Berlin and made a telling contribution to the club's historic promotion to the Bundesliga in May. The 23-year-old's sensational overhead kick against Köln was voted the Goal of the Month in Germany in January by leading TV show Sportschau.

"It wasn't easy for me to leave Union, but I still think the change is the best solution for me. I had two great years in Berlin, during which I learned to appreciate the city and the club a lot. The fact that we were able to crown this period with promotion is simply incredible. I will keep these pictures in my head forever. But for me personally, it's now about collecting as much playing time as possible, I would like to be on the pitch more often than before. I see this opportunity in Bielefeld. Thank you Union fans! It was a great time! I wish you all the best and am sure that you can survive in the Bundesliga," said Hartel on his departure from the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

"Marcel Hartel has steadily developed in recent years and was an important piece of the puzzle in our promotion team. He has always served the team and proved his class time and time again. When Marcel approached us with the desire to leave the club, we responded. Even though it wasn't an easy decision for us, we don't want to put any obstacles in Marcel's way and wish him all the best for his future career," added Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Director for Professional Football.