Amid the DFB-Pokal success in Braunschweig, nothing suggested that the 4:2 win over the second division would be Ilyas Ansah's final appearance in the 1. FC Union Berlin shirt. Just three days later the striker is already on his way to England, where he is set to be presented as a new signing by Premier League newcomers Hull City. The 21-year-old, who only moved from the second division side SC Paderborn to Köpenick last summer, will bring a fee of 22 million euros, making him the new record transfer for the Eisernen. The medical check should only be a formality, then the U21 international will start in the strongest league in the world. At top speed he could already be in the squad for the promotion duel at Coventry City on Saturday (4 pm).
Why a 19-year-old Brazilian runs the biggest Union Berlin fanpage
Parallel the Köpenicker start into the new Bundesliga season, Eintracht Frankfurt is guest at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei from 15:30 pm. In the offensive, coach Mauro Lustrinelli has to experiment after the Ansah departure. Marin Ljubicic, who was matchwinner in Braunschweig with two goals and an assist, could get a chance from the start. In the four-man line there is nevertheless need for improvement, personell Lustrinelli neither inside nor on the sides intends to make changes.
150 Bundesliga Games for Wolfsburg and Augsburg
Perspectively the competition for this position will be reignited. Felix Uduokhai is supposed to move from Besiktas Istanbul to Köpenick and will hardly be planned as backup with his experience. 150 games he played in the Bundesliga for VfL Wolfsburg and FC Augsburg, before he joined Besiktas two years ago. Initially he played on loan for one year at the Bosphorus, subsequently the club signed him permanently. At the first two matchdays of the current Süper Lig season he was not even in the matchday squad.
The 28-year-old fits the profile all the more because he has a strong left foot. That applies to this position after the departure of Diogo Leite only to Stanley Nsoki, who has been out for many weeks and proved to be a factor of uncertainty in the past season. Uduokhai was once trained at TSV 1860 Munich and played six times for the German U21 national team.
Marvin Ducksch can imagine a return to the Bundesliga
Leading him to Union? © IMAGO/Ryan Browne/Shutterstock Despite this commitment, another striker is supposed to come until the deadline day on 1 September to close the Ansah gap. For Phil Harres, who is under contract with second division side Holstein Kiel, the iron seem to have flicked off a first offer. Marvin Pieringer, in whom there was also interest, just moved from 1. FC Heidenheim to SC Paderborn. Loose rumors also surround Marvin Ducksch, who currently still plays for English second division side Birmingham City, but is not averse to a return to the Bundesliga.
Stand: 27. August 2026 League: 11th place in Bundesliga (final 2025 table - new season not yet under way), 32 pts, 8W-8D-13L from 29 games, recent form: LDLWL. 33 goals scored, 50 conceded (-17 goal difference). 44 points behind leaders Bayern München. Next fixture: vs RB Leipzig (at home, 2026-11-21) (4th in the table). Currently sidelined: Robert Skov, Aljoscha Kemlein, Livan Burcu, Frederik Ronnow, Lucas Tousart, Diogo Leite.
