After a year 1. FC Union Berlin and midfielder Morten Thorsby are going their separate ways for the coming season, with the Norwegian international going out on loan to CFC Genoa. In the course of the negotiations, both clubs agreed on an obligation to buy at the end of the period.

A powerful midfielder, but irregular starter

The 27-year-old only joined Union last summer, coming to Berlin from UC Sampdoria where he’d been a top performer and regular, but was never able to play himself permanently into the first eleven.

After 12 months, Morten can look back on 34 appearances in red and white, although only two of them lasted the full 90 minutes, the ties against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and against Ajax in the UEFA Europa League.

In addition to a lot of fight and commitment, he also showed his ability in front of goal early in the season, scoring the opener in Union's record 6-1 win at Schalke with a 6th-minute header. Morten was also vital to the hugely important Bundesliga win against Mainz 05 on matchday 19, when after only four minutes on the pitch he set up Jordan Siebatcheu's winner to make it 2-1.

But as of now, Morten is back in action in Genoa, a city he knows very well having played 98 games there for Sampdoria until his departure in the summer of 2022.

Views on the transfer

"I won't forget my time at Union, even if it was rather mixed,” said an optimistic Thorsby on his move. “As a team, we achieved something unique last season and I'm proud of that. At the end of the day, though, I'm a professional who wants to play and I thank everyone involved for giving me the opportunity to reorient myself. I wish Union and the boys all the best for the upcoming season."

"Morten's loan to Genoa is a good opportunity for all sides to benefit,” said Oliver Ruhnert, Union’s director of men’s professional football. “Despite many appearances for us, last season was not easy - also due to various personal circumstances - and the competition is now very high again. We wish Morten every success and only the best."