A knack for late goals

Whether it's been against Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart or Holstein Kiel – Oliver Burke’s name is associated with painful memories for many clubs in Germany. The 6’2” right-footer has a penchant for late goals – and for deciding games in the last minute. His strike in Werder Bremen's away win in Dortmund is legendary. BVB had been leading 2-0 until the 89th minute, but Burke finished superbly in stoppage time to give the visitors a 3-2 win. He also spoiled VfB Stuttgart's day home game last season with both goals in a 2-1 comeback win, bagging the winner in the 90th minute. Burke made 42 appearances for Werder Bremen, contributing eight goals and one assist.  

Before his time on the Weser, he began his football career in the youth ranks of Nottingham Forest, where he made his professional debut on 19 September 2014 at the age of 17 in a 3-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup. In 2016, Burke made the leap to the Bundesliga and joined newly promoted RB Leipzig. He scored his first Bundesliga goal in only his third game, against 1. FC Köln. After a year, he returned to England to join West Bromwich Albion, from where he moved on loan to Celtic in January 2019. There, he won the league and cup double.  

This was followed by a season in Spain's LaLiga with Deportivo Alavés (31 appearances, one goal) before he returned to England in 2020 to join Sheffield United. Two years later, Burke returned to the Bundesliga, at the newly promoted Werder Bremen. After spells on loan at Millwall and Birmingham City, the 13-time Scottish international brings pace, experience and a knack for late goals to the Alte Försterei.  

Three facts about Oliver  

• Burke was the first Scot to score a goal in the Bundesliga since Brian O'Neil in 1999.  

•  He captained the Scottish U20 team at the 2017 Toulon Tournament, where Scotland beat Brazil for the first time and won the bronze medal.  

• Oliver was born on 7 April 1997 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, but grew up in Melton Mowbray, England.  

The reactions to the signing 

“Union are a special club – honest, combative and loud. That's exactly what suits me,” said a delighted Burke on his arrival in Berlin. “I want to give it my all here, soak up the energy of the fans and make a difference with the team. The decision to join Union came from my gut feeling and I had very good talks with the people in charge, which is why I am convinced that this is the right step for me.”  

“Oliver has the profile we were looking for, pace, physicality and the ability to decide games in tight moments,” said Horst Heldt, Union’s director of  men’s professional football. “His energy and determination make him a good fit for us. We know his qualities from the Bundesliga and are convinced that his experience and mentality will make him a valuable addition to our team.”