Within three minutes of his Bundesliga debut for Union Berlin, E. Latte Lath had scored against Eintracht Frankfurt. At 27, it was his first appearance in a major European league, and the goal was only the opening line of an interview about rebuilding himself after a difficult spell at Atlantas. He said the moment felt like “an explosion”, which makes sense given what came before it.

Carrick's influence

Latte Lath said Michael Carrick’s calm style left a mark during his Middlesbrough spell, when the coach was in charge for all 29 of his Boro goals. “I think he is a calm, calm coach and he kind of observes everything,” Latte Lath said. “Observing him, he tried to take the best out of yourself. That is the main thing.”

That link matters because the forward is using the same language to explain his reset now. He said the move to Atlanta came with “a lot of expectation”, and that it became “really, really difficult”. Across 48 appearances there, he scored 11 goals after a £22.5m switch from Middlesbrough.

The reset at Union Berlin

Mental coaching has been part of the response. Latte Lath said it has helped him not only with football, but in everyday life as he adjusts to fatherhood. “It is trying to know me, understanding what I need,” he said. “For me, it is really helpful because I do not just use him for work with my job but also in real life.”

The early Bundesliga numbers are modest but encouraging. He has 1 goal in 5 league appearances, with 289 minutes on the clock and a 6.61 rating. Union Berlin sit 17th with 6 points from 7 matches, so the pressure around the club is obvious, but Latte Lath at least looks like a forward settling back into rhythm rather than one still searching for his game.

The memory that may linger most from Atlanta is not just the difficulty. Latte Lath said meeting Lionel Messi was unforgettable, adding: “I was really like a kid when you see your hero. It was unbelievable. I will never forget it. I also touched him. I could touch Messi.”

What comes next for him is simple enough, keep building on the debut goal and keep the body of work moving in the same direction when Union Berlin return to league action.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →