News Focus
- Dutch centre-back Danilho Doekhi wins top individual prize at the Köpenick club
- The 27-year-old featured in all 34 league matches without substitution
- Defender scored five goals and contributed to seven clean sheets
- Summer transfer exit now looks likely for the reliable star
1. FC Union Berlin have built their recent reputation on steady, reliable performances. The Bundesliga side from the German capital often show mixed form during long campaigns. However, they consistently steer clear of serious relegation battles. They rarely possess enough quality to challenge for European places either.
Their solid backline ranks among the strongest in the bottom half of the table. Dutch centre-half Danilho Doekhi leads this defensive unit. The 27-year-old enjoyed an excellent term. He appeared in every league fixture without missing a single minute. His dependability proved crucial for the team.
Doekhi also contributed five goals. This tally made him the club’s joint-second highest scorer. Only Oliver Burke found the net more often. The defender additionally helped secure seven clean sheets. He won 341 duels, placing him seventh in the division rankings. He covered 359.7 kilometres, the twelfth-best distance in the league. These figures demonstrate his tireless work rate.
Sadly for Union supporters, the player may leave this summer.
His finest display occurred on Matchday 10 against Bayern Munich. The champions-elect visited the German capital for a tense clash. Doekhi had an early strike disallowed. Nevertheless, he opened the scoring later in the first half. Janik Haberer supplied a corner, and the Dutchman volleyed home with his right boot. Luis Díaz equalised brilliantly before the interval.
Doekhi struck again in the 83rd minute. He capitalised on a weak clearance from Harry Kane following another set-piece. The England captain eventually headed an equaliser deep into added time. This denied Union a historic victory. Despite the draw, Doekhi maintained a perfect duel success rate throughout the match.
Other players received recognition too. Andrej Ilic earned two nominations from our writers. The Serbian forward managed five goals and nine assists. Centre-back Leopold Querfeld and midfielder Rani Khedira each gained one vote. Querfeld played 31 matches and won 333 duels. Khedira contributed five goals and one assist.