By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Confirmed: Union Berlin snatch up lower division veteran striker Behrens on a free

Union Berlin continue in their quest to offset the loss of twelve 2020/21 league goals in the form of the departed Taiwo Awoniyi, Joel Pohjanpalo, Marius Bülter, and Petar Musa.

Having already brought in Genki Haraguchi from Hannover 96 and Andreas Voglsammer from Arminia Bielefeld, Die Eisernen now add a third new striker in Kevin Behrens of SV Sandhausen. 
If all goes according to plan, a 30-year-old rookie should make his debut at some point next season at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. After a twelve-year-long career in Germany's lower footballing divisions, former Bremen youth academy product Kevin Behrens now makes the jump to the top flight.

Union Berlin confirmed the striker's capture Thursday. After Behrens' contract expired yesterday, he arrives in Berlin's Köpenick quarter on a free. 

Since leaving the Bremen youth ranks in 2011, Behrens has played for six separate second, third, and fourth tier German footballing clubs. An overall strong career of 73 tallies meant little, however, until he caught on with Sandhausen in the 2. Bundesliga three seasons ago. 

Performance numbers in the last two campaigns have been stellar. He struck 14 times and registered seven assists in the 2019/20 season, adding 13 goals and two assists in the campaign just concluded. 

"Kevin has developed into one of the most accurate strikers in the 2. Bundesliga in recent seasons," Union managing director Oliver Ruhnert said in a statement, "His recent career, along with qualities such as drive and commitment, make him an excellent fit for our club."

"Every professional footballer dreams of being able to play in the Bundesliga at some point," Behrens added in his own statement, "I'm very happy to take this step now."

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