Dominique Heintz is to leave 1. FC Union Berlin. After a year and a half in Köpenick, the centre-back will return to 1. FC Köln, where he was already under contract between 2015 and 2018.

From Kaiserslautern to the Bundesliga

Heintz started his career at 1. FC Kaiserslautern and his Bundesliga debut for the side in the 2011/12 season. In the summer of 2015, he left the club of his youth, moving to 1. FC Köln, where he played 108 competitive matches, scoring three goals. Following three years in the Rhineland, the defender then moved to SC Freiburg. In Christian Streich's team, he immediately established himself as a key player, and made 90 appearances for the club.

But he signed for Union in the Winter of the 2021/22 season, having lost his regular place in the SCF starting XI. He made his debut in the 2-1 home win against TSG Hoffenheim on 15 January 2022. Four days later, he played 90 minutes in the DFB Pokal derby against Hertha BSC. Union won that game 3-2. In total, Heintz played nine competitive games for the Eisernen.

In the summer of 2022, he was loaned out to VfL Bochum for one successful season, helping them to avoid relegation, but he returned to Berlin for the pre-season and now will take the next step in his career at 1. FC Köln.

Views on the move

"It wasn’t an easy decision to make,” said Heintz on his transfer. “Of course, my goal was to re-establish myself at Union after returning from Bochum. “But I ultimately see greater opportunities for regular playing time at 1. FC Köln. I'm looking forward to the challenge and my return to the Effzeh, and I wish all Union players a successful season."

Oliver Ruhnert, Union's managing director of men’s professional football said meanwhile, "Dominique played a big part in our qualification for the Europa League after his transfer in the winter of 2022. We are very grateful to him for that. Even after his return from Bochum, he never let us down. We have now agreed to his wish for a transfer and wish him all the best for the future."