László Bénes has completed a permanent transfer from 1.FC Union Berlin to Belgian Pro League side KAA Gent, the German club confirmed on Friday. The 28-year-old midfielder departs the Alte Försterei after one season, having initially joined in the summer of 2024 and making 25 competitive appearances, scoring twice and registering one assist.
Bénes’s time in Köpenick was disrupted by a loan spell at Turkish Süper Lig club Kayserispor, where he enjoyed a productive period. While seeking more consistent playing time, he scored seven goals and provided two assists during his loan stint in Turkey, demonstrating his attacking capabilities. The move to Gent represents a chance for Bénes to establish himself as a key player in a new league.
Union Berlin’s director of football, Horst Heldt, expressed the club’s gratitude for Bénes’s professionalism and contributions during his time with the club. Heldt stated that an opportunity arose for Bénes to “reorient himself long-term” and wished him well in his future career with Gent. The transfer allows Union Berlin to free up space in their squad and potentially reinvest funds in other areas.
The Slovakian international has 42 caps for his national team and has previously played for teams such as Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt. Bénes’s career has been marked by periods of promise interspersed with challenges in securing a consistent starting role. This move to Gent offers him a fresh start and the chance to become a regular in a competitive European league.
KAA Gent will be hoping Bénes can bring his goalscoring form from Turkey to Belgium, bolstering their midfield options as they compete in the Belgian Pro League and potentially European competitions. The transfer provides Gent with an experienced player capable of contributing both goals and assists.
