Union Berlin Nears Signing of Swiss Forward Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys Bern
Union Berlin is reportedly on the verge of securing Swiss attacker Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys Bern, with head coach Mauro Lustrinelli set to collaborate once again with a familiar player. As per Kicker, only minimal formalities remain before Imeri completes his transfer to the German capital. The 26-year-old is expected to undergo a medical examination on Monday and sign a contract lasting until June 2029. Union Berlin is likely to pay around €2.5 million for his transfer.
Imeri would join a growing list of Swiss players enhancing Union’s squad, which has made substantial changes as the transfer window draws to a close. The Köpenickers recently secured the acquisition of Switzerland international Michel Aebischer, adding necessary depth to a midfield that has faced challenges earlier this summer.
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Get German Football News emphasized Union’s requirement for additional attacking talent in their 2026/27 tactical overview. Imeri, skilled at drifting in from the left wing and also operating centrally, brings the type of technical ability and unpredictability to the squad that Lustrinelli has identified as crucial for enhancing offensive play.
Lustrinelli Set to Reunite with Former Pupil
Imeri’s connection with the new Union coach is not new. Lustrinelli previously coached him at FC Thun, where Imeri netted six goals and provided eight assists during the club’s unexpected title-winning season. The Swiss-Italian coach also gave Imeri his debut for the Switzerland U21 team, with their relationship reportedly remaining strong since that time.
The impending transfer provides Lustrinelli with one of his preferred targets as he continues to shape the footballing philosophy at Union. Following a 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, the 50-year-old compared his role in Köpenick to “building a house,” highlighting that a strong mentality and team spirit form the foundational elements for developing more advanced football strategies.
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While Imeri is set to provide valuable support to Lustrinelli’s ambitions, Union Berlin will have to wait a short while before they can utilize their new addition. The Young Boys forward is currently recovering from thigh issues and is projected to be sidelined for around two weeks.
Union Berlin are reportedly closing in on the signing of Swiss attacker Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys Bern, with head coach Mauro Lustrinelli poised to reunite with one of his former players. According to Kicker, only final details remain before Imeri completes a move to the German capital. The 26-year-old is expected to undergo his medical on Monday before signing a contract through June 2029. Union are reportedly set to pay approximately €2.5m for his services.
Imeri would become the latest Swiss reinforcement for a Union squad that has undergone significant late-window work. The Köpenickers recently completed the signing of Switzerland international Michel Aebischer, adding much-needed quality to a midfield that appeared seriously short of options earlier in the summer.
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Get German Football News highlighted Union’s need for attacking reinforcements in our 2026/27 tactical preview. Imeri, comfortable cutting inside from the left wing or operating centrally, provides precisely the type of technically gifted and unpredictable option that Lustrinelli’s squad previously lacked in the final third.
Lustrinelli set to reunite with former pupil
Imeri is no stranger to the new Union trainer. Lustrinelli previously worked with the attacker at FC Thun, where Imeri registered six goals and eight assists during the club’s surprise championship-winning campaign. The Swiss-Italian coach also handed Imeri his Switzerland U21 debut, with contact between the pair reportedly having remained intact ever since.
The move therefore hands Lustrinelli one of his preferred targets as he continues rebuilding Union’s footballing identity. After Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, the 50-year-old described his work in Köpenick as akin to “building a house”, stressing that mentality and team spirit constituted the foundation upon which more developed footballing principles could eventually be constructed.
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Imeri should eventually offer Lustrinelli another important piece of that project, though Union will have to wait briefly before deploying their prospective new signing. The Young Boys attacker is currently recovering from thigh problems and is not expected to return to action for approximately two weeks.
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