HSV confirm Selke pick up

Just days after his departure from 1. FC Köln was confirmed, German striker Davie Selke's reunification with former trainer Steffen Baumgart has been confirmed. Selke's contract with the cathedral city side was voided with Köln's relegation to the second division. The Hanseatic City State side was thus able to pick up the 29-year-old on a free transfer. Selke will face his former side in the 2024/25 2. Bundesliga season opener.

Selke did manage to score six goals in 30 appearances for Köln last year, bringing his total number of top flight tallies to 46 for Köln, Werder Bremen, Hertha, and RB Leipzig. The former German youth international and Olympic representative - regarded as a disappointment by many - still maintains an estimated market worth of €2.8 million in the latest transfermarkt listings.

"Davie has already experienced a lot in football and brings a wealth of experience with him to Hamburg," newly appointed HSV sporting director Stefan Kuntz,  "I worked with Davie in the German U21 national team when he played a key role in us becoming European champions in 2017. Steffen Baumgart also trained him at 1. FC Köln and we are absolutely convinced that Davie will make us stronger on the pitch and in the dressing room."

“I’m really excited to play for HSV,” the player himself added, “I’ve already worked together successfully with Stefan Kuntz and Steffen Baumgart. They both told me of their clear plans and targets. HSV is one of the most exciting clubs in German football and the thought of helping to get the club back in the Bundesliga had me interested right away."