1. FC Union Berlin have signed Antonia-Johanna Halverkamps for the start of the 2024/25 season. The 23-year-old midfielder will move to Köpenick from from MSV Duisburg.

A permanent fixture in Duisburg

After initially playing as a youth player for GSG Duisburg in her native city, Halverkamps joined MSV in 2015 at the age of 14. She was a member of the 2nd team squad for the 2017/18 season before moving up to the Bundesliga team in 2018. She made her debut in Germany's top flight at 17, the first day of the 2018/19 season, before establishing herself as a regular over the next two seasons.

After relegation in 2020/21, the "Zebras" achieved direct promotion the following season, one in which Halverkamps also played a key role with four goals in 23 second division games. The winger has now been back in the Bundesliga with Duisburg since 2022. At the time of publishing she has made thirteen Bundesliga appearances, eleven of them over the full 90 minutes, in which she scored twice for the bottom of the table team.

In total, Halverkamps has appeared in 117 competitive matches for MSV Duisburg so far, 86 in the Bundesliga, 23 in the 2. Liga and eight in the DFB Pokal. She has scored 10 goals.

Three facts about Antonia:

• Halverkamps is now the player with the most Bundesliga experience in the current Union squad
• In addition to football, the Duisburg native successfully completed her bachelor's degree in social work at the University of Duisburg-Essen
• Halverkamp's goal against SC Freiburg was nominated for Goal of the Month by Sportschau in October 2023

The views on the transfer

“I'm delighted to be moving to 1. FC Union Berlin, a great traditional club that have convinced me of their vision and with which I would like to continue the successful path I have taken,” said a happy Halverkamps on her move to the capital. “The people in charge immediately gave me a good feeling during the talks, so this decision feels absolutely right. By moving away from my hometown, I want to continue to develop personally and as a player. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the team in the second half of the season that we'll be promoted and can play together in the 2. Bundesliga next season."

"In Antonia, we were able to sign an absolute dream player who we would have liked to have won over beforehand,” said Union’s director of women’s and girls football, Jennifer Zietz, on the move. “She wanted to finish the season in Duisburg, which speaks for her strong character. Even in this difficult season, she has once again shown great determination, commitment and courage. This makes her a perfect fit for our team."