By 
Max Kruse, who has scored 74 goals in 250 Bundesliga
appearances, has returned to Germany, where he had spells at Werder Bremen,
Freiburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Wolfsburg and St Pauli.
appearances, has returned to Germany, where he had spells at Werder Bremen,
Freiburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Wolfsburg and St Pauli.
The 32-year-old is a colourful
character off the pitch having finished third in the 2014 World Series of Poker
and appeared on the Turkish version of talent show “The Voice” last
December singing a cover of the Dean Martin hit “Sway”.
character off the pitch having finished third in the 2014 World Series of Poker
and appeared on the Turkish version of talent show “The Voice” last
December singing a cover of the Dean Martin hit “Sway”.
Kruse made the last of his 14
appearances for Germany in late 2015 when he scored in a Euro 2016 qualifier
victory against Georgia.
appearances for Germany in late 2015 when he scored in a Euro 2016 qualifier
victory against Georgia.
He was dropped by Germany in
March 2016 after an argument with a journalist at a Berlin nightclub while
celebrating his 28th birthday, days after making headlines for leaving 75,000
euros ($88,000) in cash in a taxi.
March 2016 after an argument with a journalist at a Berlin nightclub while
celebrating his 28th birthday, days after making headlines for leaving 75,000
euros ($88,000) in cash in a taxi.
“I’m not here for the
nightlife in Berlin or anything. I’m here to play football,” Kruse
insisted Friday.
nightlife in Berlin or anything. I’m here to play football,” Kruse
insisted Friday.
Having turned down a return to
Werder Bremen, Kruse said he was looking to joining Union who have already
signed goalkeeper Andreas Luthe from Augsburg and defender Robin Knoche from
Wolfsburg.
Werder Bremen, Kruse said he was looking to joining Union who have already
signed goalkeeper Andreas Luthe from Augsburg and defender Robin Knoche from
Wolfsburg.
“I’m happy to be playing
in the Bundesliga again and to get to know a cool new club like Union, who have
developed really well in recent years,” he said after Union finished their
first Bundesliga season 11th in 2019/20.
in the Bundesliga again and to get to know a cool new club like Union, who have
developed really well in recent years,” he said after Union finished their
first Bundesliga season 11th in 2019/20.
“It was important for me
to switch to a club that completely convinces and challenges me.
to switch to a club that completely convinces and challenges me.
“During the conversations
with those responsible, I felt immediately comfortable, that’s why I decided to
join Union.”
with those responsible, I felt immediately comfortable, that’s why I decided to
join Union.”
He will compete with Nigeria
international Anthony Ujah and Sweden’s Sebastian Andersson for the forwards
positions.
international Anthony Ujah and Sweden’s Sebastian Andersson for the forwards
positions.
