1. FC Union Berlin have signed 26-year-old midfielder Morten Thorsby. The Norwegian international was last under contract at Serie A club Sampdoria.

A youngster abroad

Born in the Norwegian capital Oslo, Thorsby’s career quickly gathered pace as a youngster. At 15, he was picked up by Staebek’s U19 side and he made his top-team debut against Molde FK at the age of 17. Teams across the continent took notice of the talented midfielder, but it was the Netherlands that would become his next destination. Thorsby signed for Heerenveen at 18 and became a regular feature in the matchday squad. He would go on to play 130 times for the Eredivisie club, a run of games which put him into the heart of Norway’s national team. At age 21, Thorsby made his full Norway debut against North Macedonia.

Following a period of his time at Heerenveen with injuries, Thorsby went on to sign for Sampdoria in Italy. He has become a first-team regular in the city of Genoa with 85 starting appearances in Italy’s top division.

Three Facts about Morten:

- Morten is a compatriot of Julian Ryerson: they played together 19 times in the U21 and senior national teams. Julian has even set up two goals for Morten.  

- In the national team, Morten wears the 2 to draw attention to the two-degree climate target of the Paris Agreement.

- Norway have never lost when Morten has played the full 90 minutes in the senior national team.

Comments on the transfer

"With the move to Union, I have the great opportunity to play internationally for the first time in my career. Julian has also told me only good things about the fans and the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter in my career and will support Union with everything I have,“ said the midfielder.

"Morten is a player who has a lot of mentality and will and can help us with these skills in the team. We are happy to have another important alternative in our squad and are looking forward to a player who not only takes a lot of responsibility on the pitch but also off it," said Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Managing Director of Professional Football.