“Nothing Completed Yet”
Another season for Timo Baumgartl at 1. FC Union Berlin is not yet certain. Manager Oliver Ruhnert emphasized during a media round at the An der Alten Försterei stadium on Sunday that he probably said something at the celebration with the fans the night before that he didn’t mean: “I actually wanted to say that we were with Eindhoven try to extend the contract by one year,” explained Ruhnert. Both clubs are also in very good talks.
“I believe that we will succeed. But nothing is finished yet,” explained Ruhnert. Baumgartl could not play at the season finale. The 26-year-old defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully had a tumor removed. Before the 3-2 win against VfL Bochum on Saturday, his team-mates had warmed up in T-shirts with the number 25 – Baumgartl’s shirt number. He has played in 34 games with the “Iron” since the start of the season and increased his market value by 2 million to 5 million euros in December – the first plus since December 2018. Baumgartl’s contract with the Eredivisie club runs until 2024.
“Fortunately, I have been taking preventative care for a number of years. I am very grateful for the quick, clear diagnosis and for the surgery that has since taken place, which has gone well,” the 26-year-old said about his illness at the beginning of the week. All forecasts are positive, “that’s why I’m going into the next few weeks positively.” It’s not an easy time, “but the support is incredible”.
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