154 days since making his last appearance for Union Berlin, Timo Baumgartl returned to the starting XI against Wolfsburg on Saturday afternoon after recovering from testicular cancer.
Baumgartl (26) completed chemotherapy after being diagnosed in late April. The former Stuttgart central-defender returned to light training at the start of August, just four months after his diagnosis. At the end of last month, Baumgartl completed an entire training session for the first time.
The German joined Union Berlin on loan from Eredivisie side PSV last summer but after his diagnosis, Union Berlin confirmed that they had extended Baumgartl’s loan for the current season.
Coached by Urs Fischer, Union have enjoyed an excellent start to their Bundesliga campaign and remain the only beaten team in the competition. They’ve beat Hertha Berlin, RB Leipzig, Schalke and FC Köln, picking up draws against Mainz and Bayern Munich.
Union Berlin can regain top spot from Borussia Dortmund with a draw against Wolfsburg.
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