Official: Union sign Leite permanently
New German Champions' League representatives 1. FC Union Berlin confirmed that they had pulled the purchase option on FC Porto loan-out Diogo Leite on Thursday evening.
Twenty-four-year-old Portuguese defender Diogo Leite will continue to play for 1. FC Union Berlin next year in the Champions' League. The capital city's Köpenick side confirmed that they had pulled the purchase option in the Portuguese youth international on Thursday evening. Multiple sources report that Union have paid Porto approximately €7.5 million. The length of Leite's new contract was not disclosed.
"Diogo established himself with us directly as a regular player and has already performed very well in his first year," FCU managing director Oliver Ruhnert noted in a statement released by the club, "It was therefore clear to us that we wanted to keep a player with his skills, mentality and commitment at the club. In addition, we believe Diogo has further potential for improvement and are happy to continue working with him."
"I felt very comfortable here at Union from the start and I'm even happier that I was able to perform well," the player himself noted in a statement, "The season was very successful and a lot of fun. I wish for it to continue like this and for us to achieve our goals."
Leite made 40 appearances for die Eisernen across all competitions in his first year. He registered one assist in the Bundesliga and another on during Union's Europa League campaign. Leite earned his first call up to the Portuguese senior men's national team during the recent March international break, but has yet to earn his first cap.
❌ Leihe
— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) June 1, 2023
✅ Leite pic.twitter.com/fzMMjrz0In