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Paul Jaeckel Signs for Preußen Münster

Defender Paul Jaeckel is leaving 1. FC Union Berlin to join Preußen Münster in the 2. Bundesliga. Both clubs and the 26-year-old have agreed to an immediate transfer.

Joined as a promise for the future  

With experience from 67 second division appearances for SpVgg Greuther Fürth and three appearances in the top flight for VfL Wolfsburg, the then 22-year-old Jaeckel moved to Berlin-Köpenick in the summer of 2021 as a newly crowned U21 European champion, going on to make 32 competitive appearances in his first season with Union. He impressed in all 24 Bundesliga appearances, as well as in four games in both the UEFA Conference League and the DFB-Pokal and was part of a Union defence that was often proved too difficult to break down. 

The right-footed player, who was born in Eisenhüttenstadt, was also a regular in the following 2022/23 season, gaining further experience in the UEFA Europa League. He made a total of 21 appearances and scored an important goal in the 1-0 away win at VfB Stuttgart. 

During the 2023/24 season, though Jaeckel's number of appearances declined, he was part of the team that played Union's first UEFA Champions League match in the club's history against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on 20 September 2023. Jaeckel later played in the return matches against SSC Napoli and Real Madrid and made a further six appearances in the Bundesliga.  

Leaving as an established professional with European experience 

After a total of 62 appearances in the 1. FC Union Berlin shirt, he spent the past season on loan at Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2. Bundesliga and is now returning there, this time to Münster in Westphalia.  

Views on the transfer  

"I came here four years ago to prove myself and play in the Bundesliga,” said Jaeckel on the signing of his deal in Münster. “The fact that we then qualified for the Champions League and I was able to play there was something I never expected. Every game with Union was an experience, but especially the ones in Europe. Now, however, the time has come for me to prove myself again. I am grateful to Union and especially to the team for everything and will continue to keep my fingers crossed for them."  

Horst Heldt, Managing Director of Professional Football at 1. FC Union Berlin meanwhile had this to say of the departing defender: “Paul is a model professional who has always put the success of the team above his own ambitions. He has continued to develop with us and has always been an important figure in the dressing room. We didn't want to stand in the way of his desire for a new challenge, so we wish him all the best for his time at Preußen Münster.” 

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Season 2024/25Men's Team