Team

HSV sign Berkay Özcan

The 20-year-old midfielder arrives from VfB Stuttgart and has signed a contract until 2023.

HSV have completed their first transfer of the January transfer window, bringing in 20-year-old midfielder Berkay Özcan from VfB Stuttgart. The Turkey international has signed a contract until 2023, regardless of which division the club plays its football in. Özcan completed his medical on Thursday and will go straight into Hannes Wolf’s squad.

Sporting Director Ralf Becker was extremely pleased to have secured Özcan’s signature: “We have stressed that we have faith in our current team, and will only act in the transfer market if something pops up. Berkay Özcan is that something. We’re convinced that he’ll help us in the second half of the season, but moreover, he’ll be an important building block in our future plans. Berkay is a talented and much sought-after talent, who has a wealth of Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga experience under his belt, considering his age. We’re therefore very happy that he’s signed for us.”

Sporting Director Ralf Becker and Berkay Özcan are looking forward to working together at HSV.

“HSV is a brilliant club with great fans,” says Özcan. “I’m happy that I’ve had the chance to move to Hamburg. I want to show the fans what I can do, and of course I want to help the club achieve its goals, and return to the Bundesliga.”

Özcan was born on the 15th of February 1998 in Karlsruhe, and progressed through the youth setup at Karlsruher SC, before switching to the VfB Stuttgart U17s. He made his professional debut on the 8th of August 2016, beating FC St. Pauli 2-1 in the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season. Özcan went on to make 21 appearances in total for the club. Last season, Özcan played in 17 Bundesliga games, claiming a goal and three assists from his preferred position in central attacking midfield. This season, he has made three appearances. On the 1st of June 2018, Özcan made his debut for the Turkey senior team against Tunisia, having made 28 appearances for the junior sides. Özcan, who will take to the training pitch for the first time tomorrow, will wear the number 41 shirt.