Union Berlin have announced the signing of midfielder Rani Khedira ahead of next season. The 27-year-old is out of contract at Augsburg in the summer.
Union Berlin Sign Rani Khedira
Free Agent in the Summer
Twenty-seven-year-old Augsburg midfielder Rani Khedira is out of contract in the summer and Union Berlin have made him their first addition ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
The holding midfielder, who can also play in the centre of defence, will join Die Eisernen following a four-year spell with Fuggerstädter.
Born in Stuttgart, he came through the ranks with his hometown club and made his senior debut for Die Roten in 2014. The midfielder then joined RB Leipzig, where he stayed for three seasons, before making the switch to Augsburg.
Brother of Hertha Berlin midfielder Sami, Rani will bring the experience of over 130 Bundesliga appearances with him to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei next season.
What Was Said
Speaking to the club’s official website, Khedira said: “Union has made a remarkable development in recent years. I am delighted to be part of this team from the coming season and to help establish myself in the Bundesliga.
“The discussions with those responsible at Union were very convincing, which is why I opted for Union.”
Oliver Ruhnert, managing director of professional football at the club, added: “Rani Khedira is a very experienced Bundesliga professional in the prime of football age.
“We are just as convinced of his footballing skills as we are of his personality. To be able to sign a player of this quality free of charge is of great value to us.”
Clever Transfer Policy Adds Further Strength in Depth
Rani Khedira will add competition, along with Robert Andrich, Grischa Prömel, Sebastian Griesbeck and Christian Gentner as Urs Fischer’s central midfield options, although the latter is out of contract in the summer.
It will give the Union boss another alternative when it comes to team selection, and the competition for places should help the other players.
It is also a very clever move for Union, as stated by Ruhnert. The Bundesliga outfit have acquired a very good midfielder without a transfer fee, and that is how they like to do business. Last summer, Die Eisernen saw Andreas Luthe, Robin Knoche, Niko Gießelmann, Griesbeck and Cedric Teuchert all arrive on free transfers.
This season, in just their second-ever top-flight campaign, that strategy has worked well for Union, who find themselves eighth in the Bundesliga on 46 points.
Main Photo
