A team player with a quick start

Having only just moved to Köpenick, the 21-year-old Ansah won over the Union fans immediately last summer. Ansah scored a superb brace in last season’s opening day, 2–1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, his first ever game in the top flight. His performance earned him the man of the match award. He added further goals on matchdays three and four, ending the season with a total of five goals and three assists in 33 Bundesliga matches.

The German U-21 international made 37 appearances for Union and played a major part in the club’s Bundesliga survival last season.

The reactions to the move

“I suppose every little boy dreams of one day playing professionally in the Premier League,” said Ansah on his move to Humberside. “That was certainly the case for me, so I’m all the happier that I now have the chance to fulfil that dream. I’d like to thank Union, the club officials and, above all, the fans for an incredible year in which more has probably happened than at other clubs in five.”

“We are losing a young, talented player in Ilyas, who took a significant step forward in his development in the Bundesliga last season and demonstrated his qualities at the highest level,” added Union’s director of men’s professional football, Horst Heldt. “The interest from England and the offer from Hull City were very attractive both for the player and for us as a club. Following constructive discussions with all parties involved, we have therefore jointly decided to honour his wish to move to the Premier League. We would like to thank Ilyas for his commitment and the performances he delivered whilst wearing the shirt of 1. FC Union Berlin, and we wish him all the best for the future – both on and off the pitch – and every success in this new chapter of his career in England.”