Report: Kiel and St. Pauli interested in Union transfer flop

Germany’s preeminent footballing publication reports that Bundesliga newcomers Holstein Kiel and FC St. Pauli are among those interested in Union Berlin striker Ivan Prtajin. 

Croatian striker Ivan Prtajin is one of two 1. FC Union Berlin strikers yet to log a single minute of action for his new club since joining die Eisernen this past summer. Prtajin moved to Union from SV Wehen Wiesbaden after putting in an impressive campaign for the 2. Bundesliga side last year. Bo Svensson and the FCU coaching staff nevertheless quickly found themselves unimpressed with the 28-year-old and reportedly attempted to offload him before the season started.

Neither Prtajin nor Serbian striker Andrej Ilic (taken on loan from Lille) have gotten a chance to play at all under the new FCU trainer. Given that the Köpenickers have the second most anemic offensive in the league, this says quite a lot. Only St. Pauli (seven goals) has notched fewer league tallies (nine) than Union through 11 match-days this year. 

Germany’s Kicker Magazine reports that St. Pauli are among the teams interested in acquiring Prtajin during the coming January transfer window. The top flight’s other promoted club, Holstein Kiel, are reportedly also in the mix. Second division sides 1. FC Köln and Hannover 96 are also listed as interested parties.

Prtajin scored 13 league goals for Wiesbaden last year, adding three more in the cup and promotion-relegation playoffs. His current contract with Union runs through 2027. At present, he maintains a €1.8 million estimated market worth in the latest transfermarkt update.