Close collaboration with scout and squad planner Marvin Bellin

A possible transfer begins with scouting, and for Union's women's team, Marvin Bellin, who also works as a squad planner, is primarily responsible. The 27-year-old first determines the positions that need to be filled and identifies potential newcomers using data-based analysis. “We are now operating across Europe and sometimes even beyond. Usually, the process begins one and a half to two years before a potential signing when we observe players through various data platforms as well as through video and live scouting. It is important to us not only to consider the short-term development of a player but to really examine in the long term whether she fits with us,” explains Bellin.

The constant exchange between Bellin and Zietz is essential, after all, the football world is fast-paced and sometimes requires quick decisions. “In intense phases, Marvin and I often find ourselves on the phone several times a day. That is completely normal,” reports the director.

While Bellin primarily focuses on the footballing qualities during scouting, the character traits of a player also play a decisive role in a possible transfer. “We place great importance on this, yes. After the initial contact with the agent to clarify the contractual situation, a joint Zoom call usually follows with the player, her agent, Marvin, and me. It is not only about football but also about getting a sense of how a player ticks and whether she fits us personally,” says Zietz.

Invitation to the Training Center and Stadium – Differences to Men's Football

If the Zoom call goes well and the player can foresee a transfer, an invitation to Berlin usually follows. On site, potential new signings visit the Oberspree training center and the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. “The stadium is a real trump card for us. It can ultimately make the difference when a player sees that she could be playing here every other weekend. This atmosphere is simply unique,” emphasizes Zietz.

According to Zietz, planning for the upcoming summer transfer window is already underway: “For the winter transfers, we started concrete negotiations around October. Lia Kamber, for example, has been on our radar for about a year, and Marvin was regularly on site in Basel. Around Christmas, it was a bit quieter for me on my phone, but now the preparations for the next season start up again.”

The transfer world in women’s football differs significantly from that of the men’s game, according to Zietz: “A player usually needs significantly more lead time than her male counterpart. Hardly any player would change clubs overnight without knowing where she will be living or what the environment looks like. The conditions and soft factors, such as team dynamics or the character structure of the team, play a much bigger role. The entire process is therefore more extensive and personal. We don’t really have a classic deadline day like in men’s football, where transfers happen at the last minute.”

Winter transfers are also a special challenge: “For Silje Skaara Helgesen, it was advantageous that the season in Norway had already ended. In general, only a few players want to switch in the middle of the season. For many, that would be too abrupt, and they don’t want to leave their previous club without a proper farewell. That’s why it’s important to maintain contact now and possibly make a new attempt in the summer. My phone is usually never really quiet.”

Kamber, Skaara Helgesen, and Kassen: Union's winter signings

Lia Kamber transferred from FC Basel, where she had established herself in midfield, last season. The 19-year-old made 29 competitive appearances for FCB, scoring eight goals. Previously, she was under contract with her training club FC Luzern, for whom she played over 50 matches in the highest Swiss league. She made her debut there at just 16 years old. Shortly after her 18th birthday, she also made her first appearance for the Swiss A national team, for which she has now played three international matches. About her first week in Berlin, Union’s new number 41 says: “The intensity is very high, which I really like. The team helps me with many things and I already feel very comfortable.”

Silje Skaara Helgesen left her Norwegian home after making 80 competitive appearances for Stabæk Fotball. The center-back was one of the core players there for the past three years and was almost always in the starting lineup. Additionally, the 21-year-old went through all the Norwegian youth national teams. “It’s really a lot of fun. A lot is new for me, but I feel like I’m understanding the processes better and better. The girls support me incredibly, which has positively surprised me a lot,” said Skaara Helgesen her first impressions of the team.

Just in time for the start of training camp, goalkeeper Julia Kassen also joined the squad. The 23-year-old was under contract with FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first half of the season and made five appearances for the U20 in the Regionalliga Nordost. Previously, she kept at SC Freiburg and had five Bundesliga appearances over two years. At VfL Wolfsburg, where she was active from 2018 to 2023, she played 43 second-division matches for the U20s. She also knows Union's goalkeeper coach Alisa Vetterlein from there. “I was welcomed very well, and the conditions here are of course great. You can immediately tell that the entire club is very warm and family-oriented,” emphasizes Kassen. 

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