1. FC Union Berlin have allowed defender Nicolai Rapp to join Markus Anfang's Werder Bremen with immediate effect.

The 24-year-old defender joined from Erzgebirge Aue in 2019 and celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga with the club for the first time, six months later. Rapp has spent 18 months on loan at Darmstadt in the 2.Bundesliga before completing a permanent move to Werder Bremen.

"I will forever remember the promotion to the Bundesliga and the days afterwards, this experience was unique. While I have always felt comfortable at Union, I would like to be on the pitch regularly. I see this opportunity at Werder Bremen rather than at Union, so I am now looking forward to my new task," said the central defender.

"Nicolai has played continuously during his loan and now saw a better opportunity to continue to do so. We know he is a very reliable player with a great character, so we wish him every success in his new role," said Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Managing Director for Professional Football.