Team
27.06.23
HSV sign Levin Öztunali
The 27-year-old forward is returning to Hamburg on a free transfer from Union Berlin exactly ten years after he initially left the club.
Hamburger SV are delighted to announce the signing of Levin Öztunali on a free transfer from Bundesliga side Union Berlin. The versatile forward has penned a deal until 2026. Öztunali spent much of his youth career at HSV and is returning to the club exactly ten years after he initially left. Between 2006 and 2013, the now 27-year-old, who is also the grandson of club legend Uwe Seeler, progressed through all of HSV’s youth teams before making the move to Bayer Leverkusen after the U19s.
“My history together with Levin began ten years ago, which makes me all the more pleased that we have been able to bring him home,” explained director of sport Jonas Boldt, who signed the then HSV youth talent for Bayer Leverkusen back in 2013. “His professional attitude, power, and strong identification with HSV, represent important factors in the composition of our squad.”
“To be able to now run out as a HSV player is a dream come true for me”
Öztunali has made a total of 212 appearances over the past 10 seasons for Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin. He has 38 direct goal contributions to his name (13 goals, 29 assists) and has stood-out in particular with his dynamism and versatility in attack.
Director of professional football, Claus Costa, was quick to highlight Öztunali’s attributes: “Levin is a very flexible attacking player, who makes a great impression with his athleticism. His 190 Bundesliga appearances have given him a wealth of experience that will certainly help us. The goal for him is to now return to his former strengths at our club and to help us achieve our goals.”
Öztunali didn’t get regular football at Union last season and is all the more ready to make his HSV return: “I want to perform at my best and help the team to win games and achieve its goals with my pace and my strength in one-on-one situations. I think I’ll be able to help the younger players with my experience and give them assurances,” explained Öztunali, who won the 2017 European Championship with the Germany U21s. The 27-year-old also made it clear that he’s always kept a keen eye on his beloved HSV: “I’ve always followed HSV but I’ve only even been to the Volksparkstadion as an opposition player or as a supporter. To be able to now run out as a HSV player is a dream come true for me. That’s why I’m delighted to be back.”