Oliver Burke's Unconventional Football Journey in Germany
Oliver Burke, the Union Berlin winger, has described himself as "the journeyman a little bit", but his path through professional football stands out as distinctly unique. While high-profile British exports like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have captured headlines in Germany, Burke represents a different narrative—a player with a Midlands accent now at his third Bundesliga club, thriving in a league he never imagined joining as a child.
A Career Spanning Four Countries
Burke's crowded CV includes stints in four different nations: Germany, Spain, Scotland, and England. He has represented six English clubs, five of them in the Championship, yet his reputation has arguably reached its peak in the Bundesliga. After making just 33 senior appearances for Nottingham Forest, RB Leipzig signed him for £13 million as a teenager, a move that surprised many at the time. "I remember it being a shock to everyone, going to Germany," Burke recalled. "[It was] like, 'why Germany?'"
His Bundesliga career has included spells at RB Leipzig, Werder Bremen, and now Union Berlin. In September, he made history by becoming the first Scot ever to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga, netting a treble against Eintracht Frankfurt. "I have probably played my best football here in Germany," said the 28-year-old. "I never thought as a child I would be out in Germany and I never imagined that."
Thriving in the German Game
Burke attributes his success in Germany to a style of play that suits his strengths. "Counter-attacking football really uses my speed which is one of my biggest assets," he explained. He also praised the atmosphere in German stadiums, noting, "I love the league and the stadiums and the atmospheres. It is another level."
His journey has not been without its twists. After helping Leipzig finish second in the Bundesliga, he returned to England with West Bromwich Albion for £15 million, but his Premier League experiences with West Brom and Sheffield United ended in relegation. In contrast, he helped promoted Werder Bremen stay in the Bundesliga in 2022-23 and achieve an eighth-place finish last season. Now at Union Berlin, who are currently 10th, Burke is part of a team facing the challenge of following the club's greatest era, which saw them rise from the fifth tier to the Champions League.
Life Off the Pitch and Scotland Hopes
Off the field, Burke enjoys a quieter life in Berlin with his wife and child, contrasting it with his time in Bremen. "Bremen was a bit quiet," he reflected. "I don't do really too much off the field, go to the coffee shops with my wife and take a stroll with the pram."
Despite his success in Germany, Burke has not played for Scotland since 2020, earning 13 caps in total. With the World Cup approaching, he remains hopeful for a recall, though he acknowledges it is not his decision. "It was an absolute honour to wear the badge and represent your country," he said. "I would really love that again. I know there is a World Cup coming up, but I have not really been part of it recently."
Reflecting on a Unique Path
Looking back on a career that has taken him from Albion to Alaves, Bremen to Birmingham, and Bradford to the Bundesliga, Burke admits that moving frequently has had its challenges. "Maybe it is not always good to move so much so quickly," he said. However, he expresses no regrets, viewing his journey as a valuable experience. "You have ifs, buts and maybes, but this is my journey and what it is, I don't have any regrets. I think it is just a nice experience to experience a different culture, another country. I have been everywhere, but I love that."
As Union Berlin aim to return to European competition, Burke continues to showcase his talents in a league that has become a second home, all while keeping one eye on a potential Scotland comeback in a World Cup year.
