Union Berlin signs Croatian right-back Juranović from Celtic
Union Berlin has signed a contract with Croatian right-back Josip Juranović from Scottish champions Celtic for the biggest transfer of this humble Bundesliga player so far.
The Union announced the transfer of 27-year-old Juranović on Sunday, without giving details about the length of the contract or the amount of the transfer.
Media reports suggest Union have agreed to pay 8 million euros ($8.7 million) and up to 3 million ($3.3 million) more in potential bonus payments to Celtic for Juranovic. This is the most the former East German league club has spent on a player.
The Union were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time only in 2019, but have built on their achievements by finishing higher in every season since then. He was the leader in the German league for seven weeks this season. It is currently third, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Juranović played six of the seven games for Croatia at the World Cup, all but the third-place playoff. He was linked with potential moves to Barcelona and Chelsea.
But the Union needed a replacement for Norwegian right-back Julian Ryerson, who was snapped up by Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window as cover for the injured Thomas Meunier.
Juranović, a dedicated team player with a tendency to push forward, could also be an upgrade.
“Josip will fit in well with his pace, experience and ability,” said Union’s sporting director Oliver Ruhnert. “We are confident that we have signed a player in him who will help us quickly and we are very happy to have him.”
Juranovic, who has featured against Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Leipzig in the Champions League group stage this season, next faces Werder Bremen away on Wednesday before the derby at Hertha in Berlin on Saturday.
“Moving to Union fulfills my dream of being able to play in one of the best leagues in the world. The Bundesliga is intense and robust and suits my game,” Juranović said. “I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans at the Alte Försterei soon. I want to progress even more in Berlin and take the next step in my career.”
Before Celtic, Juranović played for Polish Legia from Warsaw, where he won his first league title, and for Croatian heavyweights Hajduk Split after emerging from Zagreb’s Dubrava.
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