Union Berlin reshuffled their squad on transfer deadline day. The club signed Swiss midfielder Kastriot Imeri and confirmed the departure of striker Ilyas Ansah to England, as reported by multiple outlets.
Who is new signing Kastriot Imeri?
Kastriot Imeri officially moved from Young Boys Bern to Union Berlin on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Swiss international signed a contract and will wear the number 30 shirt. According to a report by Bild, the transfer was announced around midday following a public training session. The fee for Imeri is reported to be 2.4 million euros.
Imeri is a familiar face to manager Mauro Lustrinelli. The pair previously worked together in Switzerland at FC Thun, where Imeri made his debut as a U21 international under Lustrinelli in 2020. "The move to Union is a big challenge and a huge opportunity for me," Imeri told Bild. "Another important factor for me was the prospect of working with Mauro again." The club expects the experienced midfielder to settle in quickly.
Why did Ilyas Ansah leave the club?
Just one year after his arrival, Ilyas Ansah has left Union Berlin. The 21-year-old striker is joining English Premier League newcomers Hull City. Tagesschau and Bild confirmed the transfer. The fixed fee for Ansah is 18 million euros. Additional bonuses could see the total rise by up to six million euros.
Ansah joined Union from SC Paderborn in the summer of 2025. The attacker signed a five-year deal with Hull City. His departure creates space in the squad and provides the club with financial flexibility. The current Bundesliga table shows Union in 9th place with one point from one game, highlighting the importance of solid squad planning.
What is Union's situation at the start of the season?
Mauro Lustrinelli's team began the new Bundesliga season with a draw. From one match, the club from Köpenick has one point and sits in mid-table in the standings. Their record shows three goals scored and three conceded.
This leaves Union currently two points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The focus now shifts to preparing for the next fixture. On November 21, Union will host third-placed RB Leipzig at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. All upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page. The team's season statistics are available under stats.
What does the swap mean for squad planning?
The departure of Ansah and the arrival of Imeri mark a targeted adjustment to the squad. While a potent attacking force has been sold, a technically skilled midfielder familiar to the manager has been added. Imeri is expected to bolster the central areas and provide more stability.
The transfers coincided with the closure of the summer window on September 1st. For Union, it was the final chance to shape the squad before the long autumn phase. The team now has until the winter window to gel. The next home game against RB Leipzig on November 21 will be an early test.
