Confirmed: Union sign Wiesbaden striker Prtajin
The 28-year-old will be reunited with his former teammate Benedict Hollerbach, with whom he once paired with in attack.
A transfer rumor initially appearing yesterday has quickly materialized into a signing. Germany's Köpenick capital city side confirmed the acquisition of Croatian striker Ivan Prtajin on Thursday afternoon. The 28-year-old joins die Eisernen from relegated 2. Bundesliga side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Germany's Kicker Magazine reports that Union Berlin have procured Prtajin via a release clause in his contract that totals approximately €1 million.
Prtajin has no top flight experience to date, but did net 13 goals in 31 2. Bundesliga appearances for his Hessen-based club last season. The former Croatian youth international was also a pivotal part of Wiesbaden's promotion to the second division in 2022/23, registering 15 goals in the 3. Liga. Prtajin was unable to help Wehen avoid relegation back to the third flight in the playoffs despite scoring a goal and registering two assists.
In Ivan, we are acquiring a highly sought-after, robust and strong striker," FCU managing director Oliver Ruhnert noted in a statement accompanying the signing, "He wants to and will prove himself in the Bundesliga. He will aid us as a scoring threat who is flexible in attack."
“I immediately felt very comfortable during the first talks with those responsible at Union and realized that this move was the right path for me,” the player himself added, “I believe that I can help the club with my experience and my style of play as a striker.”
At Union, Prtajin will be reunited with former Wiesbaden teammate Benedict Hollerbach; another striker who served as a bright spot in Union's dismal season. The two attackers once worked together in tandem to help the club achieve promotion in the 2022/23 campaign.