Lisa Görsdorf, the team's longest-serving player, is leaving 1. FC Union Berlin. Her departure leaves a big gap, and not only in midfield.

A regular and a fighter

Görsdorf's journey at Union began in the summer of 2009, when she moved from the youth team of Tennis Borussia Berlin to the youth section of 1. FC Union Berlin at the age of 13. She made her debut for the women's team in April 2013, shortly after her 17th birthday. From the 2013/14 season onwards, Görsdorf was a permanent member of the women's team and was voted Berlin's 2014 Amateur Player of the Year in her very first season.

Over the past eleven years, Görsdorf has experienced both highs and lows at the club. The highlights include promotions to the 2. Bundesliga in 2014 and 2016, although both seasons ended in relegation. Görsdorf also celebrated winning the Berlin Pokal title for the fourth time this season. In June, she celebrated her third promotion in a Union shirt against SV Henstedt-Ulzburg, scoring in the 8-0 first-leg victory at the Alte Försterei.

However, Görsdorf fought her biggest battle off the pitch. In February 2015, the then 18-year-old was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in her lymphatic system; after several months of treatment, the defensive midfielder was able to beat the cancer. Two years later, however, in April 2017, the disease returned. Once again, Görsdorf proved her fighting spirit and beat the cancer once more. In the years that followed, even two cruciate ligament ruptures could not stop her from returning to the pitch.

Lisa Görsdorf played a total of 123 senior league matches for 1. FC Union Berlin. In the past season, the 28-year-old was the only player alongside Sarah Abu Sabbah to appear in all 28 competitive matches.

The views on the farewell

"Union has been my club since 2009, and we've experienced many highs and lows together during that time. From promotions and relegations to cup wins, everything was there and I will always remember it with pride. I got to know great people here and was able to fulfil my dream of playing professional football. Now I wish the team all the best for the next season," said Lisa Görsdorf.

"The development of our women's department has accelerated rapidly in the past year and unfortunately this usually means that not all players can keep up with this development,” said Union’s director of women’s professional football, Jennifer Zietz. “It was therefore not an easy decision, but in our joint discussions we told Lisa that she would not get any playing time in the professional team. She's been at the club for so long and has always identified with Union, so the door is always open for her here."