Gosens recalls crazy rush to join Fiorentina on deadline day | OneFootball

Robin Gosens scored on his debut for Fiorentina, but reveals he was ‘in a state of shock’ when the deadline day transfer was being pushed through from Union Berlin. ‘I felt guilty.’

This represented a return to Serie A for the Germany international, who had been in Italy from 2017 for Atalanta, moving to Inter in January 2022 and leaving for Union Berlin in the summer of 2023.

He was linked with several sides in the Italian top flight, but it was Fiorentina who secured a deal on the last day of trading.

“Before signing for Fiorentina, I was in a state of shock,” Gosens told Copa TS podcast.

“I should’ve been at the stadium, but instead I was getting ready to travel to Florence. I didn’t get there in time, so the documents were sent ahead and I had sign them virtually. Meanwhile, the fans were arriving at the stadium for the Union Berlin match.

“It was an absurd situation and incredibly uncomfortable for me. I knew full well what problems this was creating for the team. I felt guilty, because it might seem like I was only thinking about myself, but I didn’t want to abandon the team. On a rational level, though, I knew that I would accept the Fiorentina offer, even if it had arrived two weeks earlier. Even if it was difficult, it was still the right move for me and my family.”

Gosens from Union Berlin to Fiorentina hero in 36 hours

To make the situation even more disconcerting for the player, within 36 hours he was not just on the pitch for Fiorentina, but thrown straight into the starting XI for the Serie A match against Monza, scoring the goal for 2-2.

“The morning of August 30, I went to the stadium for the warm-up and was told that I would play that night against St. Pauli. I was not even thinking of a transfer. Fiorentina had made an offer 10 days earlier, but the club was not interested at those conditions, so I was ready to remain at Union Berlin.

“Following the afternoon nap, I woke to see a list of missed calls from my agent. He said Fiorentina had accepted the conditions and there were four hours to go before the game. I didn’t know what to do. It all happened so fast,” concluded Gosens.

On September 1, Gosens started for the Viola and completed their comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Monza deep into stoppages.