Katterbach: “The club speaks for itself”

The motto for Wednesday, 31st January at the Volkspark was ‘Katterback’, as left-back Noah Katterbach became HSV’s second winter signing and returned to the club. The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season in Hamburg, impressing whilst on loan. That spell was unfortunately affected by an ACL tear in training after 11 appearances and two assists in all competitions. HSV and Katterbach remained in contact and finally came to an agreement on Wednesday. ‘NK33’ has had two busy days, involving his medical, the signing of his contract, media duties and his first training session. 

Katterbach spoke about…

…his return to HSV: Being back in the changing room and on the training ground again felt good. I know most of the lads and the backroom staff already and was given a warm welcome. HSV is one of the biggest clubs in Germany and I’m pleased to be a part of it again. I want to help write history here. I will do all I can to get the club back into the Bundesliga. I can’t put into words how excited I am to get going.

…the move to HSV: I always believed that I would return. I felt right at home here and would have loved to stay last summer. Despite my injury, we never lost contact. Jonas Boldt and Claus Costa stayed in touch and that helped me decide to come back in the winter. The club speaks for itself – I really like the stadium, the fan base and the team structure. I’m excited for this project. I will do my best for the club and the team. I want to feed off the positives around the club at the moment and help create more positivity myself too.

"I’ve found a second home in Hamburg"

…his fitness levels: My results were really good at the medical yesterday. I’ve always gone running on my day off to get back to my fitness levels before the injury. I’ve also worked hard in the gym, including strengthening my knee and other areas of my body. I’m fit and I believe I can be involved soon. The fact that I know how everything works here already is definitely a big help.

…his departure from Köln: I was in Köln for more than 15 years, grew up there and played for the club from my seventh birthday. I obviously experienced so many highs and lows there, having played for every academy side and then the first team. You can’t just simply forget all that. I have so much to thank the club for. I supported Effzeh in my youth and the club will always have a place in my heart. However, now is the time for a new challenge, one that I’m really excited about. Köln will always remain my home, but I’ve found another one in Hamburg.