Team
15.07.20
HSV snap up Klaus Gjasula on a free transfer
The 30-year-old midfielder moves north after the end of his contract at SC Paderborn, receiving a two-year contract in Hamburg.
Having already secured the services of Amadou Onana in January, Klaus Gjasula becomes the Rothosen’s second new signing for the 2020/21 season, joining on a free transfer from fellow 2. Liga side SC Paderborn. The defensive midfielder completed his medical at the university hospital on Wednesday morning (15th July) before putting pen to paper on a deal that keeps the Albanian at the Volksparkstadion until the 30th June 2022. “We are very happy to welcome such an experienced player onto the team in Klaus. He will act as an important stabiliser in our defensive play, whilst also being able to bring the ball out from the back and distribute as a player who is comfortable using either foot. We are convinced that his mentality and personality will benefit the team,” HSV sporting director Michael Mutzel explained at the unveiling.
"I didn't have to deliberate long"
Gjasula, who played 29 Bundesliga and 24 2. Liga games during two successful seasons in East-Westphalia, views the new challenge with excitement. “I played at the Volksparkstadion with Paderborn the season before last and the atmosphere left a lasting impression on me. Since then HSV was a special club whose progress I continued to follow. When the call came from Hamburg, I didn’t have to deliberate long. I’m really looking forward to being part of this club and the role that the sporting hierarchy has laid out to me, which I would like to fulfil with my experience and qualities to the best of my ability.”
Klaus Gjasula was born in the Albanian capital of Tirana on the 14th December 1989, moving to Freiburg in the south of Germany with his parents shortly after. In the Breisgau region, the young Gjasula made his first steps on a football pitch with a number of local clubs including PSV Freiburg, Offenburger FV and Freiburger FC. The now-30-year-old made his way slowly up the German footballing pyramid, playing Verbandsliga, Oberliga and Regionalliga before making the breakthrough at the professional level with Halle in the 3. Liga. Moving onto Paderborn, Gjasula began to make waves in his homeland as well, making the step up to the Albanian national team in 2019. The defensive midfielder’s trademark is a protective scrum cap, that he had to wear in 2013 due to a broken cheekbone, but continues to wear as a lucky charm even though it isn’t needed any more.
CV
Name: Klaus Gjasula
Date of birth: 14th December 1989
Place of birth: Tirana, Albania
Height: 1.91m
Position: Midfield
Previous clubs: Freiburger FC (2008-09), Bahlinger SC (2009-10), SV Waldhof Mannheim (2010-12), MSV Duisburg II (2012-13), Kickers Offenbach (2013-16), Stuttgarter Kickers (2016), Hallescher FC (2016-18), SC Paderborn (2018-20), Hamburger SV (since 2020)
Bundesliga games/Goals: 29/2
2. Liga games/Goals: 24/1
International caps/Goals: 5/-