Union Berlin trials new goalkeeper – Phillip Menzel joins training

On Monday Union Berlin trained with 27‑year‑old Phillip Menzel, a former first‑choice keeper of 1. FC Saarbrücken. The club called the move a "goalkeeper shortage" and used Menzel to strengthen the sessions. The training took place during preseason preparation, right after a short break, and featured ten outfield players who did not take part. Union currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga (39 points, 10 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses) and recently delivered a 4‑0 victory over FC Augsburg on 16 May 2026.

Why the shortage forces the squad to explore new options

The coaching staff explained that Frederik Rönnow's (thigh) injury and Matheo Raab's (27) load‑management limit the goalkeeper roster. Additionally, young Fritz Gagzow (17) still lacks experience. Menzel, who most recently played for Holstein Kiel II, remains without a permanent contract but offers immediate training help. For Union this means increased competition for the starting eleven and the ability to adapt to further absences.

Who is missing and who has returned?

Illness kept Andrej Ilic (26), Marvin Friedrich (30) and Christopher Trimmel (39) off the pitch. Injured players such as Andrik Markgraf (ACL tear) and Oliver Burke (Achilles issues) have been cleared. Meanwhile, Rani Khedira (32) and Dmytro Bogdanov (19) returned to training after their scheduled holiday. Their comeback adds experience while the younger cohort still needs development time.

What does this mean for the upcoming season?

Union has not signed Menzel officially, but the collaboration could become a win‑win situation. If the goalkeeper proves himself in training, he could provide a short‑term fix for the current gap. At the same time, Union retains flexibility to pursue a long‑term replacement. In the current league position (11th) and with a record of 44 goals scored and 58 conceded (‑14 goal difference), every extra option matters to stabilise the recent form – two wins, one draw, two losses in the last five games.

Outlook: training, transfer market and objectives

The next weeks of training will reveal whether Menzel becomes a permanent squad member or if Union continues its search for a lasting goalkeeper. The club remains active on the transfer market, but no official signing has been announced yet. Fans can look forward to seeing if the training stint with Menzel lays the groundwork for a sturdier defence, essential for reaching at least a European‑competition spot.