Union Berlin Secure Striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on Loan

Union Berlin has officially completed the signing of Ivorian international Emmanuel Latte Lath from MLS side Atlanta United. The Bundesliga club's announcement came as a surprise, given earlier reports suggesting no immediate deal.

The 27-year-old centre-forward joins on loan for the entire 2026/27 campaign, with an option for Union to purchase him permanently at the end of the season. Atlanta has confirmed that Union will cover the striker's full salary during the loan period.

Latte Lath arrives in Köpenick to address Union's long-standing need for a consistent Bundesliga goalscorer. Recent pre-season results have further highlighted the team's urgent requirement for reinforcements in the centre-forward position.

Sheraldo Becker remains the club's most recent player to achieve double-digit league goals, scoring 11 in the 2022/23 season. Last year, Oliver Burke led Union with only six Bundesliga goals. Andrej Ilić contributed five league goals and 11 assists, but proved more effective as a provider and aerial threat than a reliable finisher.

His confirmation followed Union's 2-2 draw with Cagliari on Sunday. Ilyas Ansah scored twice late in the game to help the Bundesliga club come back from a two-goal deficit. Nevertheless, the result extended Union's winless pre-season streak to six matches before their departure for a training camp in Austria.

Latte Lath returns to Europe after a challenging spell in MLS. He was developed in Atalanta's academy and made his senior debut in Italy in August 2016. Subsequently, the Bergamo club loaned him out extensively across Italy.

His European breakthrough came with Swiss side St. Gallen during the 2022/23 season, where he scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 31 league appearances. This performance convinced Middlesbrough to sign him for approximately €7 million.

The Ivorian quickly established himself as a key goalscorer in the Championship, netting 29 goals in 67 competitive appearances for Middlesbrough, including 27 league goals in 59 fixtures.

Atlanta then paid an MLS-record package, reportedly just under €21 million, to sign Latte Lath in February 2025. He initially signed a contract through 2028 with an option for an additional year.

His move to the United States did not unfold as anticipated. Latte Lath scored seven goals in his first MLS season and contributed only two goals and one assist in 14 league appearances this year.

He eventually lost his regular starting place, and his estimated market value dropped from €18 million to approximately €10 million. Union hopes that a return to European football will help the striker regain the form he demonstrated in Switzerland and England.

“Emmanuel has worked his way to a high level step by step and demonstrated his quality in different countries,” Union managing director Horst Heldt stated in a club release. “With his pace, mentality, and instinct for goal, he fits the profile we were searching for in our attack.”

“The discussions with Union were very positive from the beginning,” the player himself added. “The Bundesliga is a major challenge that I am really looking forward to. I want to use the opportunity to prove myself at this level and help the team with my qualities.”