Scottish striker Oliver Burke charms in Union Berlin media debut | OneFootball

New Union Berlin signing Oliver Burke got a chance to charm German journalists at his first media roundtable at his new Bundesliga club. The Scotsman moved to Köpenick on a free from Werder Bremen this summer. The 28-year-old nevertheless had to wait to make his FCU debut, missing the first few pre-season friendlies due to illness.

“I was in bed and didn’t feel too good, but now I’m fresh again,” Burke noted on Thursday. “I’ve settled in very well and the Union guys have made me feel welcome. I think the next test fixture will be good to see how I feel. I have to give 110 percent on the pitch, regardless of whether I play 60 or 70 minutes.“

Burke featured in the last two Union pre-season friendlies, working on the right wing behind lead striker Marin Ljubicic in a 5-4-1 for 61 minutes against FC Schweinfurt and leading the line alongside Ilyas Ansah and Andrej Ilic in a 3-4-3 during the second half against Espanyol Barcelona.

Burke already got the chance to meet the famous Union ultras at the famous Stadion An der Alten Försterei when Werder traveled to Köpenick on May 3rd. At that time, Burke’s move to East Berlin was already known. Burke went the full 90 minutes against his future club.

“When I came off, I didn’t know what to do,” Burke recalled during Thursday’s media round. “So I just applauded the fans a little. It was nice. I love this stadium. I think it’s really beautiful. And the fans are fantastic.”

It remains unclear just how Burke will fit into Union head coach Steffen Baumgart’s personnel puzzle. Die Eisernen have rebuilt their striker corps this summer following the departure of Benedict Hollerbach to Mainz.

Baumgart and staff are known to wish to give Ljubicic another shot up top after the expensive January signing failed to live up to expectations last spring. Burke remains a center-forward by trade, but has enough experience on the wing and as a short-striker to serve behind Ljubicic.

Baumgart seemed to suggest that this was his plan. It should nevertheless be noted that nothing about Burke’s second stint in the Bundesliga has conformed to expectations.

“Oliver thrives on situations where he goes forward and shoots at goal,” Baumgart – as quoted by Kicker – recently noted. “Not quite like Benedict Hollerbach, but similar. He thrives on his liveliness and speed as well as his physique.”

GGFN | Peter Weis