The Old Forest Administration Stadium, also known as the Old Forestry Office Side Stadium, was established nearly 100 years ago and has been renovated twice. The stands can accommodate 22,000 spectators. For a top league stadium, this capacity is quite modest.
Despite its size, this stadium holds great significance. Here, fans witnessed Union Berlin's first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga and the "Miracle in East Berlin" when the newly promoted team won the Bundesliga double. They also saw Union Berlin secure two consecutive championships. Many world powerhouses like Manchester City, Juventus, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich have come to challenge us, and most fell on this very field.
The giant tifo in the north stand, featuring Su Luo holding a sickle and hammer, has become an indelible image for these world-class teams. This stadium left Su Luo with many good memories, especially when he had just been expelled by Guoqing and Hengtai and came to a foreign country alone. Scout Daniel's welcoming words still echoed in his mind: "Welcome to East Berlin, welcome to the Old Forest Administration Stadium."
In three years, Su Luo transformed from a young player into a superstar comparable to Messi and Ronaldo. Union Berlin also rose from a struggling Bundesliga team to top 4 in the Champions League and Bundesliga champions for two consecutive years.
As Su Luo walked onto the field, he felt a deep sense of reluctance. He almost called Raiola to stop the transfer negotiations but held back. If leaving the team was the only way to save it, he had to do it, both emotionally and rationally. However, the fans would be the ones to suffer the most. No one expected Su Luo's last 15 minutes as a substitute in the season finale to be his swan song here.
During the championship celebration, Su Luo held the Bundesliga trophy and boldly told the fans, "We must win the Champions League for Union Berlin!" That promise now seemed empty.
Seeing Su Luo standing at the stadium gate for a long time, Josephine was curious. "Why don't you go in and have a look?"
"No, I'm not in the mood."
"But this is the last time you'll stand on this stadium. Go and see it," Josephine insisted, pulling Su Luo onto the field.
Suddenly, Su Luo felt something was off. It wasn't just Josephine whispering in his ear about past games; she had orchestrated this visit.
Su Luo followed her through the player tunnel onto the green field. As he stepped out, the midday sun's glare made it hard to see. When his vision cleared, he was stunned.
Josephine had planned something extraordinary. The 22,000-seat stadium was filled with fans wearing red home jerseys. Led by Uncle Hans, the core fan leader, they all chanted Su Luo's name.
This was the last gift Union Berlin fans could give Su Luo. They couldn't thank him enough for his contributions. Standing on the green field, Su Luo felt the fans' love for the last time as the king of the Steel League.
"I will be back again," he declared, even though he didn't know when. Su Luo had already decided that he would return to Union Berlin before retiring, where his dream began.
With Raiola's negotiating skills, Su Luo's transfer fee was raised to €155 million. Raiola used Manchester City and Real Madrid to pressure Chelsea. To avoid complications, Abramovich agreed to the request. Union Berlin was stunned by the huge sum of money. Su Luo had once again single-handedly saved the team. The transfer fee was enough to cover the club's debt, strengthen the lineup, and attract more outstanding players.
Finally, the transfer was settled. Su Luo officially joined Chelsea for a record-breaking €155 million, surpassing Bale's €101 million transfer in 2013.
Even the £135 million Dembele transfer to Barcelona and Coutinho's £142 million deal with additional clauses couldn't break this record! It wasn't until Mbappe and Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain, a club with deep pockets, that Su Luo's transfer fee record was surpassed.
Su Luo had undoubtedly become the king of transfer bids before 2016.
The European Championship was still ongoing, and everyone was still reeling from the shock. Su Luo's transfer sent shockwaves through the football world.
Compared to this, Higuain's €90 million move to Juventus seemed insignificant.
When Chelsea and Union Berlin announced the deal, the reactions were mixed.
Berlin fans were undoubtedly the saddest. They could only watch as their team fell apart this summer.
The fans of Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Leverkusen, and others were pleased. The "evil star" Su Luo was finally gone, and Bayern would regain their Bundesliga dominance!
Other teams were also taking notice.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was particularly concerned. He had just taken office and hadn't even settled in when he heard the news that Su Luo had joined the Premier League. Guardiola had urged Manchester City to make a competitive offer, but unfortunately, Chelsea outbid them.
Now, Guardiola would have to face his nemesis once again, sending a chill down his spine.
Manchester City players Grealish and De Bruyne, who were both in the Euro squad as England and Belgium advanced to the Round of 16, were also worried. They prepared for their matches while grappling with the impact of Su Luo's move.
"The Premier League is going to be interesting next season," Grealish remarked.
"Yeah, it looks like we'll have to work even harder," De Bruyne agreed.
Far away in China, Chelsea fans were ecstatic. They took to Weibo, Twitter, and other forums to celebrate.
"Su Luo has joined our team! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations to Su Luo at Stamford Bridge!"
"What is Manchester City doing? How can the Middle Eastern billionaires compare?"
"It's a shame my team doesn't have the funds. I can only envy."
"Fortunately, I didn't get my hopes up. Even Su Luo couldn't have made it to the Dream Theater."
"30 years of loyal fans checking in!"
Su Luo's transfer had become the talk of the town. Media and fans alike were focused on one question: Can Su Luo fit into this Chelsea team? Can Conte's tactics fully utilize Su Luo's skills?
Chelsea had finished fourth last season. To compete for the championship, the team needed more reinforcements. Abramovich, therefore, reshuffled the squad.
The two Brazilian stars, Oscar and Ramirez, were past their prime and had underperformed last season. Diego Costa, though talented, had been a double-edged sword with his volatile emotions. These three became the first targets for Chelsea's overhaul this season.
To strengthen the midfield and pair Su Luo with a solid striker, Abramovich spent £30 million to recruit Leicester City's midfield dynamo, N'Golo Kanté. Kanté was an integral part of Leicester City's historic championship win. If Kanté had joined Union Berlin, the Leicester City miracle might not have happened.
In addition to Kanté, Abramovich spent another £70 million to bring in top striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton. This demonstrated Chelsea's serious intent to build a team around Su Luo.
As the European Championship neared its end, with Ronaldo leading Portugal to the final, everything was set for Su Luo in Berlin. Even the high school he hadn't attended for a while sent him his graduation certificate. Chelsea offered Su Luo a letter of recommendation for Loughborough University, known for its excellent sports program, ensuring his academic and athletic growth.
Waiting at Berlin airport for his flight, Su Luo received another request from Neuhaus: "Su, suggest some more names."
With Union Berlin's main lineup disintegrating, they needed more high-quality, affordable young players. Su Luo put together a list of promising talents, including Haaland, Mbappe, Havertz, De Ligt, Gakpo, Enzo Fernandez, and Rice.
Su Luo wrote down the names of future stars, knowing this would be his last chance to help them. These players, mostly in youth teams or just starting their careers, might be moved by Union Berlin's call. After all, this was the club that had nurtured Su Luo. Everyone wanted to be the next Su Luo!
As the plane flew over Berlin, Su Luo looked out at the city where he had lived for three years, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Goodbye, Berlin. London, here I come!"
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