Strong midfielder is Union's first German senior women's international

Gräwe was born in East Westphalia and played exclusively in boys' teams during her youth – first for FC Kaunitz, later for SC Wiedenbrück. At the same time, she was being called up to German junior national teams and, in May 2019, won the U-17 European Championship in Bulgaria alongside Sophie Weidauer.

A few weeks after this success, she switched to a women's team for the first time at 16, playing for VfL Wolfsburg II in the 2. Bundesliga. After eleven appearances in that 2019/20 season, Gräwe made her first team debut in the Bundesliga at the beginning of the next season when she came on as a substitute in the 76th minute on matchday two. This would remain her only professional appearance for the then-reigning champions; instead, she made twelve further appearances that season in the 2. Bundesliga.

After 23 games for Wolfsburg II, Gräwe moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the summer of 2021, finally establishing herself in the Bundesliga. In her first season, she made 21 appearances and also scored her first goal in the top flight. Subsequently, she was awarded the golden Fritz-Walter Medal 2022 as the best U-19 player in the country. After twelve further appearances in the 2022/23 season, Gräwe left the Werkself in the summer of 2023 to join Eintracht Frankfurt.

Gräwe quickly established herself as a regular player in Frankfurt, and made at least 20 Bundesliga appearances in each of her three seasons there, scoring once in each season. In October 2024, she finally made her debut for the senior German national team; the 23 year old has now four caps.

 Three facts about Lisanne

• Lisanne Gräwe has already played or trained with five current Union players: Anna Aehling, Cara Bösl, Tanja Pawollek, and Tomke Schneider in Frankfurt. She also had joint appearances in German youth teams with Sophie Weidauer.

• At 5'3", Lisanne will be the smallest player in the current squad.

• She has two brothers, one older and her twin (who is 55 minutes younger than her).

Reactions to the Transfer

“I already know some players in the Union squad from Frankfurt who could only tell me positive things about the environment and the ambitions of the club," said Gräwe on the signing of her deal. "I am very much looking forward to being part of that myself from the upcoming season and want to take the next step in my development with Union.”

Jennifer Zietz, director of women’s professional football at Union, added, “In Lisanne, we have been able to sign a German national player, which makes us very proud. She has been progressing at Eintracht Frankfurt in recent years and will further enhance our midfield. I am very pleased that she sees Union as the best station for her further development.”