Successor for Sturmer-Star Hollerbach's heir revealed
Union Berlin, the German football club, is gearing up for an exciting new season with a series of transfer moves and a younger squad. The team, which finished an impressive sixth in the Bundesliga last season, has seen the departure of one of its top scorers, Benedict Hollerbach, who is set to join Mainz.
Horst Heldt, Union Berlin's Professional Football Managing Director, believes that the team can distribute responsibility more evenly without Hollerbach. He also expressed confidence in the team's broader and more flexible makeup compared to last season.
In a bid to strengthen their attack, Union Berlin has signed six young players, including Oluwaseun Ogbemudia (18), Andrik Markgraf (19), Yannic Stein (20), David Preu (20), Livan Burcu (20), and Ilyas Ansah (20). The team is also reportedly in discussions with Igor Matanovic to expand their offensive options, with an eye on European competitions.
The departure of Hollerbach leaves a vacancy in the team's attack, and while no direct replacement has been named by Heldt, Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz 05 and possibly Davie Selke from Hamburger SV are being touted as potential successors. Mainz 05, who are looking to replace Burkardt, have shown interest in signing Hollerbach from Union Berlin, indicating Burkardt might move in the opposite direction as a replacement for Hollerbach at Union Berlin.
Tom Rothe (20) and Aljoscha Kemlein (20) are the most experienced young players in the squad, with Rothe scoring three goals and Kemlein providing three assists last season. Andrej Ilic is another potential successor for Hollerbach's position, although his name has not been mentioned as frequently as Burkardt and Selke.
Union Berlin will travel to Austria for matches against LASK in Linz (July 19) and Rapid Wien (July 20) before heading to a training camp in Herzogenaurach from July 23 to August 1. The team's first friendly match will be on Saturday against Brandenburg SC Süd 05, a game they approach with confidence and ambition.
The first training session of the season will take place on Wednesday at Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As the team prepares for the new season, fans are eager to see how the young talent will perform and if they can build on last season's success.
[1] [Mainz 05 eyeing Union Berlin's Benedict Hollerbach](https://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/union-berlin/union-berlin-benedict-hollerbach-auf-mainz-05-wunschliste-gerat)
[2] [Union Berlin lose Benedict Hollerbach to Mainz](https://www.sport1.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/union-berlin-verschwendet-benedict-hollerbach-an-mainz-05-ab)
[3] [Union Berlin targeting Igor Matanovic for offensive reinforcements](https://www.sport1.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/union-berlin-will-igor-matanovic-zu-offensivverstarkung-werben)
Union Berlin is reportedly in discussions with Igor Matanovic to expand their offensive options, with an eye on European competitions, showcasing their determination to bolster their attack in the upcoming season. Mainz 05, who are looking to replace Burkardt, have shown interest in signing Hollerbach from Union Berlin, indicating a potential European-league matchup between the two clubs.
