An extraordinary farewell awaits the Alte Försterei at the end of the current season in May, when promotion hero and crowd favourite Jakob Busk leaves 1. FC Union Berlin.

Arrived as a young talent - bid farewell as a legend

The Copenhagen-born goalkeeper moved from his home club FC Copenhagen to the German capital in January 2016, the then 22-year-old's first stop outside his home country. He developed into a regular starter between the posts in the second half of the season, keeping a clean sheet in six of his 14 games. The young Dane proved to be a stalwart in the following season and remained the number one goalkeeper for the then second division club until the 22nd matchday of the 16/17 season when it took an injury to stop the ambitious 6'2" stopper. But he proved his strength and fought his way back the following season. It was another injury that ultimately put the brakes on the former Danish international, and ultimately cost him his regular place in goal for Union.

Busk nevertheless remained loyal to Union, constantly proving his determination in training and taking on responsibility off the pitch. Since 2020, he has acted as a link and mouthpiece between the coaching team and the squad as a vital member of the team council.

But after eight years and 57 competitive matches, the 30-year-old's time at 1. FC Union Berlin comes to an end this summer.

Quotes on the farewell

"When I joined Union in 2016, I couldn't have imagined that Berlin could become my home," said Busk, looking back on almost a decade in Köpenick. "I had a lot of sporting ups and downs, but I was also very lucky to experience everything I did with this club. The promotion to the Bundesliga and participation in the Champions League was unbelievable. I also found friends and a second family here. My teammates, the staff and the fans made this time at Union something very special. Union shaped me and I will always look back on it with pride and joy." 

"Jakob's time at Union wasn't always easy, but he never gave up or gave in," was Union's director of men's professional football, Oliver Ruhnert's testament to the player. "He worked hard every day, did a lot to integrate new players into the club quickly and thus made a very important contribution to the success of recent years. We are very grateful to him and wish him all the best for the future."