Berlin (dpa) – All players of 1. FC Union Berlin warmed up in red T-shirts with the number 25 before the last game of the season in the Bundesliga.
It is the shirt number of teammate Timo Baumgartl, who was missing from the squad in the 3-2 win against VfL Bochum in the sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium. “Stay iron, Timo,” Union tweeted. The Irons defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully had a tumor removed.
Baumgartl will remain in Berlin. Union manager Oliver Ruhnert announced from the balcony of the stadium at the end of the season celebration that Baumgartl’s loan would be extended by one year. Born in Böblingen, he is actually under contract with PSV Eindhoven.
“Fortunately, I’ve been taking preventative care for a number of years. I’m very grateful for the quick, clear diagnosis and for the surgery that has since taken place,” the 26-year-old said in a statement from the Bundesliga club at the beginning of the week. All forecasts are positive, “that’s why I’m going into the next few weeks positively,” he added in a video. It’s not an easy time, “but the support is incredible”.