1. FC Union Berlin have signed Maria Cristina Lange, previously under contract at 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, for the coming season. 

For Lange, the move to Union also means a return to Berlin. The 23-year-old began her football career in the youth teams of Berliner SC before joining VfL Wolfsburg II in the 2. Bundesliga in 2017. Lange shone there, particularly in 2018/19, her second season, when she scored seven goals in 14 appearances.

The then 19-year-old then drew the attention of Bundesliga side SGS Essen, who signed her in 2019. At Essen, Lange, who also holds Spanish citizenship, made 23 Bundesliga appearances in two years, in which she managed one goal. She returned to the 2. Bundesliga in the summer of 2021 and joined RB Leipzig where she scored six goals in her first two competitive matches. After four more appearances, however, Lange was out for almost a year from October 2021 due to injury and did not play another game for Leipzig.

Following her recovery, she joined Bundesliga side Turbine Potsdam in January 2023, for whom she made one appearance in the second half of last season.

Views on the transfer

"I am incredibly happy to be able to play for this traditional club," said Maria Cristina on her impending move to Köpenick. "As a Berliner, I know what it means to wear the 1. FC Union Berlin shirt. Hopefully I can help the team both off and on the pitch."

"'Nina' will expand our squad, which will allow some flexibility in our game," said Jennifer Zietz, Union's director of womens and girls football. "She is hungry for goals and will help us on our way."