By MICHAEL PENG
Bobby Wood has found a new club, but he is staying in the 2. Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old striker, who scored consecutive game-winners for the U.S. Men’s National Team in its friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany last month, has agreed to a three-year contract with FC Union Berlin, according to a club release.
The signing comes on the heels of recent rumors that had Wood linked to a possible move to VfB Stuttgart of the Bundesliga, but that potential move didn’t come to fruition.
Wood, who was out of a contract prior to this deal, spent the second half of last season with FC Erzgebirge via loan from 1860 Munich. He scored three goals in nine appearances.
In total, Wood has tallied six goals and six assists through 59 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga.
“I am happy that the transfer worked out and all parties have clarity,” Wood said according to the team’s press release. “I had very good discussions with the leaders and have quickly realized that the Union can be the right place for me. There is a special club with great goals and I want to show here what is in me. Now it comes to quickly get to know everyone and to find my place in the team.”
Wood was left off the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the Gold Cup to take care of his club situation, but he scored dramatic winners against both the Netherlands and Germany during the USMNT’s friendly victories in Europe in June.
FC Union Berlin finished seventh out of 18 last season in the 2. Bundesliga.
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What do you think about Wood’s move to FC Union Berlin? Expecting him to have a big season? Wishing he would have signed with Stuttgart instead?
Share your thoughts below.
Stuttgarts manager Robin Dutt asked Klinsmann if Bobby Wood is ready for playing in the Bundesliga, Klinsmann said “No”.
http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2015-16/1/tm-news–8548-8760-.html
I’ll watch their games now. Sounds like a fun club, and I love Berlin.
really excited! this is a great move3 yrs kontrakt! Ja?
already looking to order a union jersey! its clear this kid is money! game winning goals. now its time to go llok them in the eye and really scor some more Bobby!
Groan, at least he didn’t give up and go down to MLS
So did those 2 goals seal the deal? Incredible what NT performances can do for your career…even in friendlies
Go kid. Work. Hard. Then fly.
where’s biff?
Cool. Union’s a solid club. Stuttgart could have been a disaster as that club is a mess. And since I live in Berlin, I can watch Brooks and Wood. 🙂
It seems like this is disappointing in light of Amsterdam and Cologne, as it is a move down from 1860. Union Berlin might not be a “mess” but it has never, in its modern incarnation, made it to the Bundesliga. This is a step down from 1860, which makes sense in light of the fact his time at 1860 was not considered a success. But let’s treat this is as what it is – the last chance to revive a career of meaning at the highest levels by proving himself at a lesser club, rather than some sort of promotion from his prior club. Stuttgart would have been the latter.
Perhaps, but their is much to be learned playing in a jam-packed Alten Forsterei with everyone standing up and demanding your best
as opposed to the largely empty Allianz arena that 1860 borrows from big brother.
He’s young. Pressure to perform will be good for him. Union is capable of finishing top third.
Look, the goals against Germany and Holland are great but Wood has scored 6 times in 59 games in the 2.Bundesliga. What about that record makes you think he should be playing in the 1.Bundesliga? He’s lucky another club in Germany was interested. If he starts scoring consistently, bigger teams will be interested.
totally agree. he scored two nice goals, but could hardly get a game at 1860 before being unloaded to Aue. he’s still get a lot to prove.
Now he can stop training with Munich 1860, which he had already begun.
I wonder how realistic the other offers were, or how beneficial they were to Bobby. A 3 year deal is solid, and if Union can build off last season, he can take the road that Morales paved last season. It doesn’t really benefit him if a team is looking to take a 1 year flyer on him. Even if he performs well, they can still cut him loose.
Hopefully he can stay healthy, and his speed and physicality can show through.
Let’s see … six in 59, but three in his last nine at Erzgebirge. What changed? Can he count on those factors at FCUB?
What changed is that most of those games were off the bench because he was essentially injured off an on for almost three years. Last season’s numbers are a bit cleaner.
He wasn’t always playing forward IIRC
Seems like a good move, if he can be a solid starter and prove himself he can help them get promoted or get a transfer. I like the move better than not playing for a first division team.
Union Berlin are a “kult” club similar to St. Pauli. Its supporters are a vocal and important presence. Their supporters literally used their own hands and money to rebuild the stadium a few years ago. It’s a pretty unique and cool club that has lacked a couple of pieces to truly compete for promotion. Adding a guy like Bobby could potentially get them over the hump to become true promotion contenders. It’s a good move for bobby. Now it’s time he shut his mouth and let his play do the talking. If he does that I have no doubt he’ll be a huge success at Union Berlin.
Fun club with a unique supporters’ culture. He’ll really enjoy himself there, but I hope he can move on to starting at a higher level.
Sounds good, hopefully he can do better than 6 goals in 59 games going forward.
Presumably the people at Union know about Woods’ scoring record.
Presumably, they feel he is going to be better going forward.
If not then they are pretty stupid.