Team

Tom Mickel extends his contract until 2023

The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been a part of the club for over nine years and will pass a decade after renewing his contract early.

One of the pillars of the club has agreed to stay with HSV for the long-term. Tom Mickel, who has been at the club since 2009, excluding a two-year interval, has extended his contract early by two years, until the 30th June 2023. “I’m happy that I can continue on this path which I have set out on, and will be at HSV for over a decade. That’s a great moment for me and my family. We feel right at home in Hamburg and at HSV,” the 31-year-old beamed after his contract extension.

Michael Mutzel, who had been discussing a new contract for a while with Mickel, was also thrilled that the cornerstone of the team remains on board. “We appreciate Tom and are very happy that he has extended his contract. He is a model pro, who gives everything in training and is a role model for the younger players. Despite his age he has developed immensely over the past few years, and we can always rely on him. On top of that he’s a very important factor in the dressing room,” the sporting director added, underlining the value of the goalkeeper not just on the pitch.

Role model for younger players: Tom Mickel always gives his all and is an important factor in the dressing room.

Mickel arrived in Hamburg in the summer of 2009 at the tender age of 20 years old from east German club Energie Cottbus, provisionally seen for the HSV second team, who he has played 109 games for. Two years later, the ‘keeper was fully integrated in the first team squad but due to strong competition was unable to make a competitive appearance for the Bundesliga side. After two years at SpVgg Greuther Fürth from 2013 to 2015, Mickel returned to Hamburg and celebrated his Bundesliga debut on the 14th May 2016 during the Rothosen’s 3-1 win in Augsburg. Another Bundesliga appearance followed, ironically in Augsburg again in the 2016/17 season, as well as an appearance in the DFB Pokal and three games in the 2. Bundesliga.

Yet Mickel’s value for the club cannot be measured by appearances alone. The father of two is an important part of the team, whose attitude and leadership qualities are exemplary. “He’s an important initiator and anchor in the dressing room. On top of that he lives and breathes the club,” is Mutzel’s verdict on the goalkeeper. Mickel himself wants to continue to play this role in the dressing room and will also stay with the club after his playing career is over. “HSV has shown me that I can continue to be a part of the project that they’re building at the moment. I’ll be ready every day to give my best and try to contribute my bit to the team. I want to set an example of always being ready,” the 31-year-old concluded.