“Offer that is highly remunerated”: Kruse changes from Union to Wolfsburg

“Offer that is highly endowed”
Kruse moves from Union to Wolfsburg

Sporting prospects are one thing, financial temptations another. Max Kruse, who unexpectedly switches from European Cup contenders 1. FC Union Berlin to relegation candidate VfL Wolfsburg, sees it that way too. He justifies this supposed step backwards in a very pragmatic way.

Max Kruse surprisingly leaves the Bundesliga soccer club Union Berlin and returns to league competitor VfL Wolfsburg after five and a half years. “I thank you all for your trust in me – and now I ask you for your understanding of my decision to accept an offer that is long-term and highly endowed,” said Kruse. Both clubs made the transfer public, Kruse will sign a contract until June 30, 2023 tomorrow, subject to the sports medical examination.

“I know what’s coming and I accept this challenge,” said Kruse, who is moving from European Cup contenders from Berlin-Köpenick to a team that is fighting against relegation in 15th place in the table. In the Unioner announcement, Kruse was quoted as saying: “To everyone from my club, which I am leaving now: I came to Berlin a year and a half ago because I wanted to join this club – 1. FC Union Berlin Hardly anyone understood or believed the change at that time.”

The 33-year-old, who returned to the Bundesliga from Fenerbahce Istanbul in the summer of 2020, played a total of 45 competitive games for the Köpenickers and scored 19 goals. The attacker was under contract in Wolfsburg in the 2015/16 season. Kruse also justified his step by saying that it was about a club “where I still have a chapter open that I can now finish”. At VfL, the former international will also work again with coach Florian Kohfeldt. The two know each other from their times together at SV Werder Bremen.

Union President Dirk Zingler regretted the decision. “The sportingly most successful and economically most valuable phase of our club’s history is due to many players, coaches and employees as well as Max Kruse, we will not forget that. However, if he now deliberately decides against the chance to make history with Union this season writing, we accept that,” said Zingler. Managing Director Oliver Ruhnert explained: “His departure hits us unexpectedly and it will be a challenging task to compensate for this loss in sport.”

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