Tim Skarke 1. FC Union Berlin,21 - 2. Fußball Bundesliga Saison 2022-2023 Testspiel 1. FC Magdeburg vs. 1. FC Union Berlin in der MDCC Arena in Magdeburg - Freisteller,Aktion,Fußball,Mann,Männer,Deutschland,02.07.2022 *** Tim Skarke 1 FC Union Berlin,21 2 soccer Bundesliga season 2022 2023 test match 1 FC Magdeburg vs 1 FC Union Berlin in MDCC Arena in Magdeburg cutout,action,soccer,man,men,Germany,02 07 2022

Tim Skarke has only been in Berlin for a few weeks, but the city played a significant role on his way to the Bundesliga long before his move to 1. FC Union. In the summer of 2021, the offensive player, who was still employed by Darmstadt 98 at the time, had a difficult time. A stubborn adductor injury put him out of action for a long time and only after an operation in Berlin did things slowly start to improve. “It’s crazy. A year ago you’re down, you’re being operated on in Berlin, you’re out for four or five months – and a year later you’re signing here with Union Berlin,” says Skarke, while sitting in the stands of the An der Alten Försterei stadium on Tuesday.

Due to the injury, the 25-year-old Swabian missed the first 14 days of last season, but it was a turning point for him. After regaining confidence in his body, he “took every game as a final” and quickly reclaimed his regular spot. With five goals, he played a major role in Darmstadt narrowly missing out on promotion to the Bundesliga.

If it had been enough for the Lilien, he would have extended his contract there, but he decided to make the move to realize his dream of the Bundesliga. “I’m starting to realize what’s happening,” says Skarke. Stadium, coaching team, medical department – the conditions at Union are in a different league compared to his previous clubs 1. FC Heidenheim and Darmstadt. “That’s what I’ve always wanted: to play as professionally and as high as possible.”

Two weeks after the start of the preparations, he sees his integration into the new team on the right track. He’s still living in a Köpenick hotel, but at least he’s not alone there. With Lennart Grill, Danilho Doekhi, Milos Pantovic and Jordan Pefok Siebatcheu, other newcomers have not yet found a permanent home. On Monday, the group got pizza together and also spends some time together. “It strengthened the community a bit,” says Skarke.

The acclimatization is also progressing well in terms of football. The pace and physique are on a completely different level than in the second division, but “I’m happy that I’m getting better and better”. In the two friendlies against Viktoria 89 and 1. FC Magdeburg he played one half each and also scored his first goal against the second division promoted team. “It gives you a bit of self-confidence, but the most important thing now is to get to know the game system and the automatisms.” guest is

In his previous positions, Skarke mostly played as a right winger, occasionally also on the other side. Union did not have these positions last season, but the transfers and the first impressions of the preparation suggest that this is changing. In addition to Skarke, the U-21 national player Jamie Leweling, who came from Greuther Fürth for four million euros, has his strengths above all in an offensive row of three.

“I think I fit in well with the team,” says Skarke. The intensive style suits his mentality and the team structure is very family like in Darmstadt. Especially since the last few years have shown that “Union has signed many players from the second division and then trusts them”. Marius Bülter, Robert Andrich and Paul Jaeckel came to Union with little or no Bundesliga experience and quickly assumed important roles. Tim Skarke also hopes for such a story. “I’m 25 and still a long way from the end of my development phase. I made the step from the second to the first league, but now things are really getting started.”