Official: HSV take Augsburg's Okugawa on loan
Japanese attacker Masaya Okugawa's loan-out to second division side Hamburger SV has been confirmed.
Masaya Okugawa's rumored return to the German second division has officially been confirmed. The 27-year-old will join Hamburger SV on loan from FC Augsburg, reuniting with former Holstein Kiel trainer Tim Walter in the Hanseatic City state. A broken collarbone and subsequent foot injury limited Okugawa to just two brief relief appearances with the Fuggerstädter this season.
Not among the large cadre of Japanese professionals selected to represent the nation at this month's AFC Asian Championship, Okugawa will be hoping to revitalize his career. He furnished decent production numbers for Bielefeld both in the first and second German footballing divisions. The winger expressed his gratitude to both clubs for according him a chance in statement accompanying the news.
"I am very grateful to those responsible at FCA that the loan to Hamburg has worked out," he said, "After a difficult six months with lots of injuries, I want to get back on the pitch regularly and regain my old strength. It will certainly help me that I not only know the second division very well, but also Tim Walter from my time in Kiel."
"Masaya knows the league and his creative and has a courageous style of play, especially on the flanks," HSV sporting director Claus Costa added, "He will help us to further increase our attacking threat and also improve the quality of our offense across the board. He fits in well with our team and style of play."
"Masaya came to Augsburg snd unfortunately had to deal with repeated injuries," FCA chief personnel executive Marinko Jurendic noted in the parent club's statement. The loan to HSV is intended to give him as much playing time as possible and get him into a regular competitive rhythm so that he can return to Augsburg stronger in the summer. We wish him all the best and every success in the coming months."