At the end of the season, three players - Pauline Wimmer, Nour Youssef and Luca Scheel - will leave the women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin.

Pauline Wimmer: Career end at 22

Pauline Wimmer returned to 1. FC Union Berlin in the summer of 2022, having already played for Union in the 2. Bundesliga at the age of 15 in the 2016/17 season. This was followed by four years at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, where she made 16 Bundesliga appearances, and one season at Blau-Weiß Hohen Neuendorf. During this time, Wimmer suffered two serious knee injuries at the age of 19.

Returning to Union, the creative midfielder wanted to rediscover the joy of football at her old club. The plan initially worked out, as the ball-playing technician quickly developed into the control center of the midfield. However, in the 40th minute against FC Carl Zeiss Jena II in November 2022, Wimmer's progress was again halted by terrible misfortune, suffering a serious knee injury for the third time. Over the past year and a half, Wimmer fought her way back into team training via rehab, but did not make any further appearances due to stress and safety reasons. She is now ending her career at the age of just 22.

Pauline Wimmer played a total of 18 league matches for 1. FC Union Berlin.

Nour Youssef. A new challenge for goal-scoring winger

The 18-year-old Nour Youssef joined the youth department of 1. FC Union Berlin in 2018 and made it to the semi-finals of the German Championship with the U17s in 2022. In the same year, she was also promoted to the women's first team squad.

In her debut season in particular, the winger played her way into the hearts of spectators, scoring 13 goals in 23  Regionalliga appearances. In the current season, Youssef has scored three times in twelve games and also made her debut for the Palestinian national team. Youssef scored two goals at the West Asian Championship and only lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Jordan.

But after 34 league games with 16 goals, her chapter at 1. FC Union Berlin has now come to an end.

Luca Scheel: Farewell after a successful comeback

After three years in Köpenick, Luca Scheel's chapter with Union is also coming to an end. The midfielder initially moved to the U23s in the summer of 2019 before making the leap to the first team after two years. In the 2022-23 season, Scheel largely played in defensive midfield until she suffered a serious knee injury in December 2022. The 22-year-old was out for around a year as a result, but was able to return to the pitch at the beginning of this year after a long period of suffering and has since made seven appearances for Union.

Luca Scheel has played 29 Regionalliga games for 1. FC Union Berlin. Her greatest success to date, winning the Berlin Cup in 2024, should be capped by promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in June.

Views on the farewells

“After what is now my third serious knee injury, I am unfortunately forced to end my career prematurely," said Wimmer on the terrible decision she has had to make. "I had very good times at Union and would have liked to attack again in the 2. Bundesliga like I did back then. I am very grateful to the club for the professional medical support and everything else. From now on, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone involved from the outside and I'm delighted that football in Berlin is finally flourishing.” 

“I have had a great time at Union over the years and got to know a lot of great people," said Youssef, meanwhile. "I won't forget moments like the U17 semi-final at the Sradion An der Alten Försterei, my first year as a women's player and the championship. I'm also very proud that I was able to put myself forward for the Palestinian national team through my development here. Now I have decided to take on a new challenge. I would like to thank the entire club and wish Union all the best for the future.” 

Scheel, meanwhile, had this to say of her departure. “I had five great years at Union, with some downs, but many ups. I became a professional player here and I'm very grateful for that. Nevertheless, now is the right time for me to leave and take on new challenges. I really want to do that. I wish Union all the best for the future. Maybe we'll see each other again. Eisern!”

All three players have made their contribution to the history of 1. FC Union Berlin and will therefore always remain a part of the club.

Once an Unioner, always an Unioner!