Expectations at Union “exceeded”
Oliver Ruhnert has ruled out Max Kruse’s return to 1. FC Union Berlin, but not for economic reasons. “Why I wouldn’t bring him back is not for economic reasons, but I always think that when a player has left us, I think the appeal isn’t the same anymore. And that would be unwise for both sides,” said the sports director of the Bundesliga leaders of the “German Press Agency”.
Ruhnert described the commitment of the offensive player until the surprising departure to VfL Wolfsburg at the beginning of the year as very successful. “Max Kruse helped us tremendously here. He has had a huge share in certain successes,” emphasized the 50-year-old. Kruse “exceeded” Union expectations. The ex-national player managed a total of 19 goals and twelve assists in 45 competitive games for the Köpenickers between August 2020 and January 2022.
With Prömel, Kruse & Co: The most valuable departures from Union Berlin
13 Marius Bülter | 21/22 to Schalke | Market value at that time: €1.7 million
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Transfer fee: €800,000
(Data as of September 11, 2022)
11 Toni Leistner | 18/19 to QPR | Market value at the time: €2 million
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free transfer
11 Neven Subotic | 20/21 to Denizlispor | Market value at the time: €2 million
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free transfer
10 Marcus Ingvartsen | 22/23 to Mainz 05| Market value at the time: €2.5 million
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Transfer fee: €2.3 million
9 Marvin Friedrich | 19/20 to FC Augsburg | Market value at the time: €3 million
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Transfer fee: €1 million
7 Steven Skrzybski | 18/19 to Schalke | Market value at the time: €3.5 million
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Transfer fee: €3.2 million
7 Max Kruse | 21/22 to VfL Wolfsburg | Market value at the time: €3.5 million
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Transfer fee: €5 million
6 Christopher Lenz | 21/22 to E. Frankfurt | Market value at the time: €5 million
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free transfer
4 Robert Andrich | 21/22 to Bayer 04 | Market value at the time: €7 million
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Transfer fee: €6.5 million
4 Sebastian Anderson | 20/21 to 1. FC Cologne | Market value at the time: €7 million
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Transfer fee: €6.5 million
3 Grischa Prömel | 22/23 to Hoffenheim | Market value at the time: €7.5 million
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free transfer
2 Marvin Friedrich | 21/22 to M’gladbach | Market value at the time: €10 million
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Transfer fee: €5.5 million
1 Taiwo Awoniyi | 22/23 to Nottingham | Market value at the time: €20 million
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Transfer fee: €20.5 million
At VfL Wolfsburg, Kruse is no longer considered for disciplinary reasons. The ex-national player is expected to change during the winter break. He may be drawn to the US because his son lives there and he has spoken of praise for the country in the past. Almost a year ago, the 34-year-old was transferred to Wolfsburg for 5 million euros. Half a year before the contract expired, this was good business for Union, Ruhnert emphasized.
Max Kruse’s performance data per team: Werder, Wolfsburg, national team
100 games for FC St. Pauli (2009 to 2012)
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22 goals, 16 assists
*Note: Clubs listed by the number of Kruse’s appearances. Only the first team of each club considered.
Status: 09/13/2022
94 games for Werder Bremen (2007 to 2009 & 2016 to 2019)
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35 goals, 31 assists
77 games for Borussia Mönchengladbach (2013 to 2015)
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24 goals, 22 assists
So far 62 games for VfL Wolfsburg (2015 to 2016, since 2022)
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16 goals, 13 assists
45 games for Union Berlin (2020 to 2022)
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19 goals, 12 assists
39 games for SC Freiburg (2012 to 2013)
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12 goals, 10 assists
23 games for Fenerbahce (2019 to 2020)
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7 goals, 8 assists
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