Union Berlin boss confident young attacking prospect Livan Burcu (21) can make Bundesliga breakthrough soon | OneFootball

After yet another match during which he looked lively off the bench, 21-year-old German-Turkish attacker Liian Burcu continues to knock on the door of the 1. FC Union Berlin starting XI. The Frankfurt-native made his eighth Bundesliga appearance against his old academy side on Friday night. Burcu, who has already featured twice in the starting blocks under head coach Steffen Baumgart, may be ready for more soon; at least according to FCU managing director Horst Heldt.

Who is Livan Burcu?

Burcu trained at both the FSV Frankfurt and Eintracht Frankfurt academies in the city of his birth. After a brief stopover at Beşiktaş, Burcu moved to the SV Sandhausen academy in neighboring Baden-Württemberg at the age of 18. He broke through the SV professional ranks at 3. Liga level during the 2023/24 campaign. After Burcu scored four goals and contributed five assists in 28 3. Liga appearances, Union signed him in the summer of 2024. 

Union loaned Burcu out to fellow East German club 1. FC Magdeburg last year. At the 2. Bundesliga level, Burcu continued to thrive with three goals and nine assists in 31 second division appearances. Burcu appeared poised to step up to the top German level this year, but was impeded by an ankle injury incurred over the summer. 

Now back fit, Burcu made his Bundesliga debut back at the beginning of December and has featured in seven consecutive FCU fixtures in some capacity. Last week, the youngster got into a slight tiff with Baumgart on the sidelines. The Union head coach openly criticized Burcu afterwards, making specific reference to the need for the Turkish U21 international to conduct himself more courageously. 

Heldt had kinder words to offer on a player whom many considered to be a January loan candidate. In Heldt’s estimation, Burcu is precisely where he belongs. The club personnel chief specifically addressed why Burcu wasn’t loaned out during the last transfer window. 

Heldt’s words on Burcu

“I think Livan adds a lot to the team,” the Union boss told Kicker Magazine’s Jannis Klimburg. “Unfortunately, the injury he suffered over the summer can prove a huge setback for a young player. Now he’s back at level he should have been at the start of the season. He has qualities that can make us more flexible in attack. It’s as if we’ve gotten a new January signing.“

GGFN | Peter Weis