Official | Union Berlin confirm Yorbe Vertessen and Jordan departures | OneFootball

Union Berlin confirmed the departures of two strikers on transfer deadline day. Belgian Yorbe Vertessen and former USMNT forward Jordan Pefok have both left the Bundesliga. Vertessen’s move to RB Salzburg and Jordan’s return to Stade Reims were both confirmed late Monday.

The two players were both sold with Sky Germany and others reporting that die Eisernen have largely recouped the €4.5m transfer fee paid to acquire him from PSV 12 months ago. Some €4m flows into the Union coffers from the sale of the transfer bust.

No German footballing media outlets have any reports to offer on the figure obtained for Jordan at this juncture. Union paid Young Boys €6m to acquire the American in July 2002. The Köpenickers did recoup some money via a €200,000 loan-fee on his loan to Borussia Mönchengladbach last year.

Jordan’s inability to adapt to the German top flight saw his estimated market value plunge from a career-high €10m in September 2022 to €3m today. Unfortunately, the DC native could not score a goal in 18 appearances this season, last scoring for Union in February 2023.

Jordan departs the German top flight having netted eight goals in a combined 75 appearances for Union and Gladbach. Vertessen managed four goals in 30 appearances during his full calendar year in Germany.

Vertessen and Jordan both issued farewell statements:

“My time at Union was an intense and educational experience,” Vertessen said. “The season was full of ups and downs, and avoiding relegation on the final matchday was a moment I will never forget. The support of the fans and the passion at the club made a big impression on me. I am grateful for this time and take many wonderful memories with me.“

“I’ll never forget my time at Union,” Jordan added in his statement. “I made a lot of new friends and what we achieved together is still incredible. Now I’m looking forward to returning to France and I’d like to thank 1. FC Union Berlin, everyone involved and especially the fans for their support.“

GGFN | Peter Weis