In a surprising winter move, Mateo Biondic transferred from regional league side Eintracht Trier to Champions League participant Union Saint-Gilloise. The 22-year-old striker, now a key figure for the Belgian club, is set to feature in the cup final against rivals RSC Anderlecht on Thursday, followed by a crucial league clash against leaders Club Brugge this weekend. Biondic has quickly established himself in the center-forward position, ahead of schedule, attracting attention even from Bundesliga clubs.
{IMAGE_1}
During his time in the Regionalliga Südwest, Biondic impressed with seven goals and five assists in 17 appearances, prompting USG to pay €220,000 for his services. “Biondic only joined Union Saint-Gilloise in the winter, and the plan was to give him six months to adapt to the big step, then fully rely on him next season since Promise David was seen as a potential sale. However, due to David’s injury, he had to step in earlier and made a strong impression,” explained Bart Tamsyn, Transfermarkt’s Belgium Area Manager. Top striker David, valued at €17 million and the second most valuable player in the squad, is likely out for the rest of the season, a chance Biondic seized.
In the regular season, Biondic played a substitute role, starting only twice in seven matches and contributing to two goals in 172 minutes. After David underwent surgery, Biondic became a starter in the championship playoffs. Last weekend, he was the match-winner in a 3-0 victory over KV Mechelen, scoring one goal and providing an assist, despite having suffered a broken arm just two weeks earlier.
{IMAGE_2}
This week, Biondic and Union face two pivotal games. On Thursday, the reigning champions meet local rivals RSC Anderlecht in the cup final, and on Sunday, they travel to league leaders Club Brugge. Union sits one point behind in second place. Biondic, who previously played against fourth-tier teams like SG Barockstadt and TSV Steinbach, is now in the thick of the action.
{IMAGE_3}
**Bundesliga Clubs Interested – Market Value Surge in June?**
In the winter, besides USG, clubs such as 1. FC Nürnberg and unnamed Bundesliga sides showed interest in Biondic. “We received offers from various second-division clubs and even one from the Bundesliga, but Union’s first offer immediately showed great respect,” said Laurent Burkart of Biondic’s agency B360 Sports to “Het Nieuwsblad.” The German-Croatian striker has caught the eye of two Bundesliga clubs, but the Belgians are reluctant to let him go, demanding a high transfer fee. Additionally, the Lemgo-born forward has attracted interest from the Croatian Football Association.
Biondic is currently valued at €400,000. Given his strong performances in Belgium and Bundesliga interest, a significant increase is expected in the Jupiler Pro League update on June 4. Tamsyn speculates: “Naturally, his market value will multiply, but our community currently estimates him at around €1.5 million. I personally think that’s a bit low, but it’s a good starting point.” At the start of the season, his market value was just €50,000.
{IMAGE_4}
