1. FC Union Berlin have completed the signing of Polish goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg. The 30-year-old has signed a two-year-deal at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and is the third signing of the summer for the club following deals for Florian Hübner and Sebastian Andersson.

“I haven’t played as much as I would have imagined over the last two years,” explained the Union new boy. “Now I will go on the attack to succeed at Union. It will be a tough battle in preparation but we know that as goalkeepers. We’ll help each other whenever we can, but everyone wants the number one spot in goal when we start. I’m ready.”

Born in the northeastern Polish city of Olsztyn, Gikiewicz made his top-flight debut at the age of 21 with Jagiellonia Bialystok. He won the Polish Cup in 2010 and earned a transfer to Slask Wroclaw in 2011 where he won the league title for the first time. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has played in Germany for four years and made over 66 2.Bundesliga appearances for Eintracht Braunschweig. He then went south to join SC Freiburg, but could not nail down the number one position in the Bundesliga.

"With Rafal Gikiewicz, we were able to sign a goalkeeper who has gained experience in a large number of first and second division matches, as well as, in international competition. We expect him to give our defence a little more stability," added Oliver Ruhnert, the Managing Director for Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin.

Gikiewicz will be handed the number one jersey next season and his contract is valid for competition in the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga.