Union take Serbian striker on loan from Lille

After a series of complex deals within German football fell through, Bundesliga outfit FC Union Berlin went to France to locate their long-sought-after addition to their attacking corps. Serbian youth international Andrej Ilic joined the capital city's Köpenick side on Friday evening on loan from Lille OSC. The 24-year-old only just moved to Ligue 1 last January and will seek more playing time in the Bundesrepublik. 

Ilic was able to assert himself in Norway's Eliteserien, but couldn't really make the breakthrough with his French side. The exceptionally tall striker does maintain an estimated market worth of €3 million in the latest transfermarkt listings. FCU managing director Horst Heldt nevertheless declared himself convinced that Ilic could "prove an asset to us immediately" in his club statement accompanying the signing. 

"The Bundesliga is a goal for many young players from Serbia," the player himself added, "The fact that I've now made it here - in a roundabout way - makes me proud. I'm looking forward to the stadium and the atmosphere and want to repay the trust placed in me with good performances.”