Former Royal Antwerp defender Zeno Van den Bosch has returned to the starting lineup at Union Berlin, earning praise from German publication Kicker following a strong performance. The 23-year-old center-back joined the Bundesliga club on a free transfer during the summer after his contract at the Bosuil expired, a departure that left the Belgian club empty-handed despite his previous market valuation reaching 10 million euros.
The Costly Exit From Antwerp
Antwerp faced severe financial constraints during the summer transfer window, forcing the Belgian side to offload high earners and valuable assets. However, the loss of Van den Bosch proved especially painful for the club. As a homegrown product who refused to extend his expiring deal, the former youth international walked away for nothing, leaving Antwerp powerless as he put pen to paper with Union Berlin.
Neuer Abwehrbosch đ´4ď¸âŁDer belgische Innenverteidiger Zeno Van Den Bosch kommt von Royal Antwerpen, bringt 140 Pflichtspiele, Meistertitel, Pokal und Champions-League-Erfahrung mit. Willkommen, Zeno! đđ´đ https://t.co/GLBdVjzsGy pic.twitter.com/KRhwxccu6n
Settling In At Union Berlin
The early stages of Van den Bosch’s career in the German capital brought mixed fortunes. After scoring on his debut during a cup fixture against Eintracht Braunschweig, he hit a temporary rough patch in the Bundesliga. He lost his starting berth after two league appearances, remaining on the bench against FC Schalke 04 and featuring only as a substitute against Bayern Munich.
That trajectory shifted last weekend when manager Bo Svensson restored the young Belgian to the starting XI. Van den Bosch responded with a commanding display, drawing favorable comparisons in Kicker to Danilho Doekhi. Doekhi served as a defensive cornerstone in Berlin for multiple seasons before completing a transfer to Lazio during the previous summer window.
Facing Borussia Dortmund Next
With his long-term ambition focused on taking another step upward in his career, Van den Bosch must first establish unquestioned consistency in the Bundesliga. He will receive an immediate opportunity to prove himself on Saturday when Union Berlin hosts Borussia Dortmund in a high-stakes league fixture. Media reports in Belgium indicate that Van den Bosch is widely expected to retain his spot in central defense following his recent performance against Elversberg.
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