Official: Hertha and Freiburg confirm new January arrivals
Two January transfers involving fullbacks were confirmed by Bundesliga clubs on Wednesday.
Norway's Fredrik André Bjørkan was formally introduced by Hertha BSC while SC Freiburg welcomed Belgian talent Hugo Siquet to Breisgau.
Hertha retain Bjørkan's services on a free whilst Freiburg dug deep to acquire Siquet for a reported €4.5-5.5 million from Standard Liege.
Hertha BSC have their targeted fullback after reports surfacing earlier in the day were confirmed by a formal introduction. Fredrik André Bjørkan of FK Bodø/Glimt will continue his career in Germany's capital. The 23-year-old was available to Germany's Charlottenburg capital city side on a free transfer on an expiring contract.
Norway's Fredrik André Bjørkan was formally introduced by Hertha BSC while SC Freiburg welcomed Belgian talent Hugo Siquet to Breisgau.
Hertha retain Bjørkan's services on a free whilst Freiburg dug deep to acquire Siquet for a reported €4.5-5.5 million from Standard Liege.
Von Bødo nach Berlin: Velkommen, Fredrik! 🤝 Vi ser frem til deg! 💙https://t.co/YiganKVYIx 👈#GemeinsamHertha #HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/lSFCCjuELp
— Hertha BSC (@HerthaBSC) December 1, 2021
Hertha sporting CEO Fredi Bobic called Bjørkan "hard working, dynamic defender who doesn't neglect his defensive duties". The player himself declared himself pleased to be continuing his career with a club that "enjoys a good reputation in Norway". The twice capped for Norway Bjørkan will be joining fellow countryman and former Norwegian national team keeper Rune Jarstein at his new club.
Velkommen, Fredrik! 🇳🇴#GemeinsamHertha #HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/kl4uYABLCH
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) December 1, 2021
Meanwhile, down at the Bundesrepublik's southern border, SC Freiburg introduced Hugo Siquet. The 19-year-old Belgian youth international arrives in Breisgaiu in time for the 2021/22 Hin-runde with a hefty price tag. German footballing magazine Kicker reports a €4.5 million transfer fee while Belgian radio speaks of a €5.5 million or higher fee.
"We have been following Hugo's path since his first appearances for Standard," SC personnel bloss Klemens Hartenbach noted in a statement, "last summer, the execution of a transfer was not possible. All the more reason why we're pleased now."
"Hugo can play at right-back in a back-four or slide into the right lane in a back-three," Hartenbach continued, "His intelligence, energy, and constant forward drive are what make him stand out. We're very excited to take the next step in his development together."
Der #SCF hat zum 1. Januar 2022 Hugo Siquet von Standard Lüttich verpflichtet!
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) December 1, 2021
Alle Infos: https://t.co/yIauu06l47 pic.twitter.com/NGnpPiL2CF
The youngster was a regular in the Standard Liege starting XI this season, featuring in all 16 opening lineups. All told, he's appeared in 42 games across all competitions for the side through which he came up as a youth academy player.
"SC Freiburg is a very ambitious, familial club that reflects my value on and off the pitch," Siquet noted in his own statement, "I'm full of anticipatory joy to be playing for Freiburg soon."
While the price tag may seem a bit high, the latest transfermarkt listings suggest that the Schwarzwaldverein might have gotten a bargain. Siquet is worth €7 million according to the latest Jupiler Pro League update.
📸 Bienvenue, Hugo! pic.twitter.com/UOOwppWa33
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) December 1, 2021