By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Van Drongelen and Mustapha depart German football

FSV Mainz 05 and 1. FC Union Berlin both confirmed departures yesterday. 
Rick van Drongelen
Rick van DrongelenSamsunspor
Dutch center back Rick van Drongelen, after back-to-back loan-outs, has finally departed 1. FC Union Berlin on a permanent basis. The summer 2021 signee ended up not making a single appearance for the Köpenick-based side after joining from Hamburger SV two years ago. Most recently, Union loaned him out to Hansa Rostock.

Having found some success with the Hansa-Kogge, there was some talk of him joining Rostock on a permanent basis. Union nevertheless found a reasonably lucrative offer from newly promoted Turkish Süper Liga side Samsunspor more amenable. Germany's Kicker Magazine reports that Union will pocket approximately €200,000 for the 24-year-old.

Four years at HSV, a half-a-season with five Union matchday squad selections, and six months with Rostock left van Drongelen with a German footballing career that spanned six seasons. The Dutchman himself declared that he would retain "fond memories" of the Bundesrpeublik in a statement issued by Union.

Another German football departure was confirmed yesterday in the Pfälzer capital. Austrian striker Marlon Mustapha - a former Salzburg product who switched to FSV Mainz 05's youth academy - is headed to Italian Serie B side Como 1907. The 22-year-old striker scored eight goals for FSV II in the south-west Regionalliga and also netted six goals during a loan-stint with Admira Wacker in his native country.

Bundesliga minutes (only 64 last season) nevertheless eluded him and the youngster approached his German club with a desire for a change this summer. FSV sporting director Martin Schmidt confirmed as much in a statement released by the club. Information about a potential transfer fee for Mustapha - an estimated €1-million-valued-player - was not divulged.
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