Levin Öztunali has made the switch from Mainz to 1. FC Union Berlin on a free transfer. The 25-year-old is coming to the end of his contract at the Carnival Club and will be at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for the foreseeable future.
Öztunali has played 169 times in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals and making 25 for his team-mates. He has represented Germany at every youth national team level, including U19 and U21 where he has won the European Championship. His career started, however, in Hamburg followed by a move to Bayer Leverkusen. In 2013, Öztunali made the jump to the Bundesliga, making his debut against Freiburg for Leverkusen. He enjoyed a stint on loan at Werder Bremen before eventually committing to a long-term relationship with Mainz.
“After five wonderful years at Mainz, I’m now looking forward to the new challenge at 1. FC Union Berlin. Union has shown in recent years what you can achieve with hard work and a great team spirit and how you can inspire people. I hope that spectators can soon be back at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and that we can work together with the fans to ensure we stay in the league in the coming season,” said the attacking midfielder.
“Levin Öztunali is at the perfect age in football and yet already has a lot of Bundesliga experience. He plays great in transition and will be able to make us even more variable in our style of play. That’s why we’re pleased that he was immediately enthusiastic about a move to Union and that we were able to sign him on a free transfer,” added Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin’s Managing Director for Professional Football.