As Union Berlin look to claw themselves away from the bottom of the Bundesliga table, the Eisernen have moved at the end of the transfer window to sign highly rated attacker Yorbe Vertessen from PSV Eindhoven. Here we take a closer look at the latest arrival at the Alten Försterei……
Almost straight after the news dropped that striker Kevin Behrens had joined VfL Wolfsburg came the announcement that Union Berlin had strengthened their squad with the signing of 23-year-old winger Yorbe Vertessen. The Belgian is said to have cost the berlin club €4.75 million, which could rise to €6 million if certain conditions are met.
So just who is Yorbe Vertessen?
He began life with local Belgian sides FC Rillaar Sport and KVC Westerlo before he joined the PSV Eindhoven youth system aged just eight. His ability saw him quickly rise through the age ranks with quite a buzz forming around the attacker/ winger for his goal scoring, his technical ability and his determination. He scored an outstanding 25 goals in 29 games in 2018 as he helped the U-17 side clinch the Dutch B-Junior Championship and he added 13 for the U-19 side as they won the championship too.
He was voted into the team of the tournament at the European Under-17 Championships in 2018 as Belgium got to the semi-finals. He finished as the competition’s joint-top scorer with four goals.
He progressed rapidly through the PSV second team before gradually being introduced into the Dutch side’s first team during the 2020/21 season (15 Eredivisie appearances and two in the Europa League). 24 appearances (five as a starter) followed the next season and he contributed six goals and three assists, but with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Eran Zahavi, Ritsu Doan, Bruma and Noni Madueke to compete with his chances were limited.
In January 2023 he was loaned to Belgian side Union St.Gilloise until the end of the season and he came up against Union berlin in the Europa League and he grabbed the attention once more with a goal and an assist in an entertaining 3-3 draw in the German capital. He was a team mate of Victor Boniface during his time at the Stade Joseph Marien.
The 23-year-old nominally lines-up as a left-winger or on the left side of an attacking front three, but does have the ability to play as a central striker. He has both pace and agility, while his ability to accelerate and change direction make him a real threat to opposition defences. He has shown remarkable ball control in tight spaces and his goal scoring record is impressive.
What they’re saying:
Oliver Ruhnert (sporting director): “In Yorbe, we are getting a player who has enjoyed an excellent education in Eindhoven. He has already gained a lot of experience, which will be an advantage for him and us in the second half of the season. We are delighted that he has decided in favour of us despite having many options.”
Yorbe Vertessen: “The Bundesliga is special and so are Union. Every player in the Netherlands knows that. I’m all the happier now that I’m here and can hopefully help the team and the club to make up for the difficult last few months. I’m looking forward to meeting my new colleagues, and seeing the stadium and the fans. When we played here last year, the atmosphere was unique.”
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