Team

Exciting times for striker Stange

Otto Stange recently entered the HSV history books as the 518th player to make their senior debut for the club. The 17-year-old centre-forward has impressed with his commitment, passion and love for the game and said, “I hope this is just the start of things to come.”

His face was clearly still brimming with love for the game a while after full-time in the friendly match against FC Twente. Youngster Otto Stange was the only member of the Rothosen to be handed 90 minutes against the Dutch side, but the centre-forward provided a committed, high-intensity and playful performance throughout. “It’s great fun getting to play in this team and being able to give it everything,” said the 17-year-old, who made the transfer to the HSV academy from Eimsbütteler TV in the summer of 2022. After the game, he was clearly just as delighted as he was exhausted.

Fifth-youngest player in HSV history

It has been an exciting and rather eventful few days for the youngster. Last Friday (8th November), the centre-forward celebrated his senior debut in HSV colours at the age of 17 years (8M, 30D) to become the club’s 518th player in league history. He is also the fifth-youngest behind Omar Megeed (16Y, 11M, 25D), Josha Vagnoman (17Y, 2M, 27D), Jonathan Tah (17Y, 6M, 13D) and Fiete Arp (17Y, 8M, 24D). Stange has made his mark in the history books after being integrated more and more into first team training over the past year, culminating in an experience he is sure to not forget. “I get goose bumps just thinking about that moment. It is simply an unbelievable feeling to get to play for this club,” said Stange. “My dad is a massive HSV fan and I have fed off of that since I was little. He was more excited about my debut than I was. Dad is always there to watch. He is unbelievably proud.”

However, alongside all the joy of making his senior debut, the player from Hamburg with Brazilian roots is able to reflect on what he has achieved while also making sure to remain focused on the next stages of his development. “It is always important to keep moving forward and, above all, keep it fun. I hope this is just the start of things to come, which will need for me to continue to train well and give it my all. The team and the coaches are assisting me in doing that.” Head coach Steffen Baumgart had already shared some praise for his young prospect during the last international break. “It is really fun watching Otto play. He could definitely have an interesting career,” explained the 52-year-old. “Whenever we have to put the balls away, he looks like he wants to cry. It’s great to have lads who would happily go to bed hugging a football.” Stange’s unrestricted love for the game was clearly on show against Twente. The hope is that there is more of that to come.