By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

FSV Mainz 05 and 1. FC Union Berlin both confirmed departures yesterday. 

Dutch center back Rick Van Drongelen, after back-to-back loan-outs, has finally departed 1. FC Union Berlin on a permanent basis. The summer 2021 signee ended up not making a single appearance for the Köpenick-based side after joining from Hamburger SV two years ago. Most recently, Union loaned him out to Hansa Rostock.

Having found some success with the Hansa-Kogge, there was some talk of him joining Rostock on a permanent basis. Union nevertheless found a reasonably lucrative offer from newly promoted Turkish Süper Liga side Samsunspor more amenable. Germany’s Kicker Magazine reports that Union will pocket approximately €200,000 for the 24-year-old.

Four years at HSV, a half-a-season with five Union matchday squad selections, and six months with Rostock left Van Drongelen with a German footballing career that spanned six seasons. The Dutchman himself declared that he would retain “fond memories” of the Bundesrpeublik in a statement issued by Union.

Another German football departure was confirmed yesterday in the Pfälzer capital. Austrian striker Marlon Mustapha – a former Salzburg product who switched to FSV Mainz 05’s youth academy – is headed to Italian Serie B side Como 1907. The 22-year-old striker scored eight goals for FSV II in the south-west Regionalliga and also netted six goals during a loan-stint with Admira Wacker in his native country.

Bundesliga minutes (only 64 last season) nevertheless eluded him and the youngster approached his German club with a desire for a change this summer. FSV sporting director Martin Schmidt confirmed as much in a statement released by the club. Information about a potential transfer fee for Mustapha – an estimated €1-million-valued-player – was not divulged.

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