Training Camp

The Rise of Daniel Elfadli

At 19, holding midfielder Daniel Elfadli was playing in the seventh tier of German football with SKV Rutesheim. Now, after coming close to joining the Rothosen a year ago, he has finally made the switch to HSV. Needless to say, Elfadli is delighted to be here.

It has been an intense few weeks for Daniel Elfadli. Having already completed two weeks of pre-season training with former club 1. FC Mageburg, the 27-year-old had to start afresh upon his move to HSV. But Elfadli has not only had to find his feet on the pitch with his new side – with very little prior contact with his HSV teammates, there has been plenty of adjusting for him to do off it too. “I’ve been really well received by my teammates, the backroom staff and the whole club. I’m already feeling very comfortable,” explained Elfadli on Tuesday. He is currently sharing a room in Schneverdingen with Anssi Suhonen, who has been with the club for seven years and is therefore perfectly-placed to help him settle in. “Anssi is a funny and likeable guy who knows HSV inside and out. I’m certainly in good hands with him,” confirms Elfadli.

Second Time Lucky

Elfadli could well have found himself donning the colours of the Rothosen this time last year – both he and the club were keen to make a move happen, but Magdeburg ultimately retained his services for another year. The situation was an awkward one for Elfadli, and was exacerbated when he received the first red card of his career against his future employers last November. “It’s kind of crazy that we’ve come full circle. That incident was a totally unnecessary one. With what had happened in the summer, it was a particularly important game for me and I went into it overzealously.”

“Fadli,” as he is nicknamed, is all the happier to now be lining up with the famous HSV diamond on his chest. “I certainly have a sense of relief. Last year, I had to put up with not being able to make the switch,” says the 6’2” midfield enforcer, giving an insight into his feelings. “I’m really happy to finally be here. It’s something you hear a lot from new signings, but if you know me personally, then you know just how special this transfer is for me.

From Rutesheim to HSV

Good things come to those who wait, and the late bloomer’s delayed transfer to HSV was in some ways a microcosm of his career so far. Born in the Swabian town of Leonberg to a German mother and a Libyan father, Elfadli came through the youth systems of TSG Leonberg, TSV Eltingen and SKV Rutesheim. The midfielder made his senior debut for the latter club in autumn 2016 at the age of 19 in the Landesliga Württemberg, the seventh tier of German football. At the time, it seemed unlikely that he could rise up to become a professional, but he managed it by climbing slowly up the leagues, coming through the Oberliga with SSV Reutlingen and FC Nöttingen, the Regionalliga with VfR Aalen and finally the 2. Bundesliga with 1. FC Magdeburg ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“It still feels special to me,” said the Libyan international as he discussed his fairytale journey into professional football. “A few years ago, I’d never have thought that I’d play in the second division, let alone for HSV. For me, it’s also kind of a reward for the hard work I’ve constantly put in.” He first became familiar with HSV when seeing them on television as a five-year-old, and experienced when Nigel de Jong patrolled the field in Elfadli’s current position, and the likes of Rafael van der Vaart worked their magic going forward.

"I’m a player who will give everything for the team on the pitch. I always put in 100 percent."

In the 2024/25 season, Daniel Elfadli will himself feature for HSV, and can help the team both in midfield and central defence. The 27-year-old, who likes to play basketball and poker in his spare time, knows where his strengths lie. “I’m a player who will give everything for the team on the pitch. I always put in 100 percent. That’s the bare minimum for me. Of course, I also want to play great football. We have a good squad here,” said Elfadli, who also described his personality off the field. “I’m a down-to-earth person and an honest guy who likes to talk to people.” This positive trait is immediately evident when you meet our new signing, and will help him settle in at HSV over these first few days of training.