1. FC Union Berlin have strengthed their Bundesliga squad with the signing of centre-forward Chris Bedia. The 27-year-old joins from Servette FC in the Swiss Super League.

A permanent fixture in Switzerland

Born in the Ivory Coast, Bedia began his professional career in 2013 at FC Tours in France’s Ligue 2. He moved to RSC Charleroi in the Belgian first division for the 2016/17 season, where he played 38 of 43 competitive matches in his first season. After one more season there, he was loaned out to league rivals Zulte Waregem for a year. After further loan spells of one year each at ES Troyes AC and FC Sochaux in France, he returned to RSC for the first half of the 2021/22 season.

In the second half of the season, however, Bedia travelled to Switzerland to join Servette FC on a permanent deal where he made 14 appearances for the Geneva club, scoring his first three goals in the Swiss Super League. In the following season, he developed into a regular despite a 13-game injury lay-off and played a major part in Les Grenats' runners-up finish with twelve goals and three assists. In the current season, the centre-forward has impressed, scoring ten in 17 appearances, with a further three assists.

Bedia also gained his first European experience when, in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers for the 2023/24 season, he scored a vital goal in the 2-2 draw against KRC Genk, which took the Swiss side into a penalty shoot-out and ultimately to victory. This meant they progressed to the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying but were eliminated by Celtic. Having drawn the first leg 1-1 they narrowly lost the second, 2-1. In the UEFA Europa League, Bedia and his team failed to reach the group stage; two draws and one win being only enough for third place in the end. However, the Swiss team qualified for the intermediate round of the UEFA Conference League, where they will face Ludogorets Razgrad, a first division team from Bulgaria.

Three facts about Chris:

• With ten goals in the current season, Bedia leads the scoring charts in the Swiss Super League
• At 1.90 metres, the Ivorian is the tallest striker at Union
• Bedia became African champion with the Ivory Coast in the U17 age group in 2013

The views on the transfer:

"For me, it's always been a big dream to play in one of the big leagues," said Bedia after signing his contract. "At 1. FC Union Berlin, I'm now part of a club steeped in history that inspires many people. I want to help the team with my strengths and support them every day with my ambition and hope to be able to contribute a few goals to their success and keep Union in the league.”

Meanwhile Union’s director of men’s professional football, Oliver Ruhnert, was looking forward to Bedia’s introduction. "Chris is a big and powerful striker who can help us in our attacking play with his physicality and goal threat. He is a very positive guy who joins us with a lot of joy and drive and someone who we are really looking forward to.