1. FC Union Berlin has signed 19-year-old winger Livan Burcu and loaned him to 1. FC Magdeburg for the coming season. The Turkish U21 international last played for SV Sandhausen in the third division.

From Frankfurt youth player to the Turkish U21 national team

The German-Turkish player began his footballing career in his native city, initially in the youth section of FSV Frankfurt. In 2014, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he played for various youth teams. In 2020, the left winger played his first games in the U17 Bundesliga and also scored a goal. He then moved to Turkey to join Beşiktaş Istanbul in January 2021.

Burcu returned to Germany in July 2022 and joined SV Sandhausen. He initially played there in the A-Junior-Oberliga Baden-Württemberg. He scored 21 goals in 26 games and played a key role in Sandhausen winning the championship at the end of the season and gaining promotion. Due to his strong performances, Burcu received a professional contract for the upcoming season in Sandhausen in April 2023.

In the 2023/24 season, the right-footed player was permanently included in the professional squad of Sandhausen, who had previously been relegated from the 2nd Bundesliga to the 3rd division. He made his professional and starting eleven debut on matchday 1 of the third division season in a 0-0 draw against VfB Lübeck.

During his first professional season, Burcu developed into a goal-scoring regular and was considered the discovery of the season at Hardtwald. His strong performances at the club were rewarded with his debut for the Turkish U21 national team against Georgia on 22/03/2024.

Three facts about Livan Burcu

• Livan was one of the top 100 best online players in the football simulation game ‘FIFA 21’
• He scored a penalty in his first match for the Turkish U21 national team
• Burcu was Sandhausen's second most dangerous attacking player with 13 goals in 28 third division games

Comments on the transfer

‘When a Bundesliga club like 1. FC Union Berlin comes knocking at your door, it has great significance. So it quickly became clear to me that I would go down this path. I want to make the most of this big step and the upcoming loan and continue to develop,’ said Livan Burcu when he signed his contract.

Horst Heldt, managing director of men's professional football at 1. FC Union Berlin: ‘In Livan, we have been able to recruit a young, very talented winger who has already demonstrated his dribbling ability and goal-scoring threat in the third division. He is characterised by high development potential and knows that he needs to continue learning. We will support him with suitable measures, including loaning him to 1. FC Magdeburg in the 2nd Bundesliga.’