1. FC Union Berlin and central defender Paul Jaeckel have agreed to continue working together.

In 2014, Jaeckel left the youth academy of FC Energie Cottbus as a 16-year-old from Eisenhüttenstadt to join the Wolfsburg academy, but after four years the six-foot, right-footed defender moved to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Jaeckel soon established himself as a regular there until the end of the 2019/20 season when, in the summer of 2021, the newly crowned European Under-21 champion moved to 1. FC Union Berlin.

The 25-year-old has played 61 games for Union to date, including three appearances in the UEFA Champions League, three in the UEFA Europa League and four in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also has a goal to his name, having headed home in the 1-0 over VfB Stuttgart on matchday nine of the 2022/23 Bundesliga season.

Comments on the contract extension

"We've experienced many special moments as a team in recent years,” said Jaeckel on the signing of his new deal. “This season we are not going through an easy phase. I've always felt very comfortable throughout this time and have been able to develop further. That's why I'm looking forward to continuing to work together.”

Oliver Ruhnert, Union’s Director of men’s Professional Football, was also delighted that he was staying on. "Paul has been part of our club for almost three years now. We appreciate his enormous motivation and his drive to always act in the interests of the team. We are delighted that Paul wants to continue on our path together, despite not always having an easy time with us and despite the current situation."