Interview

“I want to help to achieve our goals”

In a media session, HSV new boy Masaya Okugawa speaks about his switch to Hamburg, head coach Tim Walter’s brand of football and his Japanese predecessors at the club.

Midfielder Masaya Okugawa, who has joined Hamburger SV on loan from Augsburg and was officially introduced as a new member of the Rothosen on Sunday, has gotten stuck in since his arrival, training at the Volkspark with his new teammates since Monday afternoon. Today, the fourth Japanese player in HSV’s history – following Naohiro Takara (119 first-team appearances from 2003-06), Gotoku Sakai (124; 2015-19) and Tatsuya Ito (37; 2017-19) – spoke at length about his transfer to HSV for the first time during a media session.

The 27-year-old spoke to the media in detail about...

...his start at HSV: I’ve had a good start and got a warm welcome. I was injured for a long time, but now I’m fit again and happy to be able to step out onto the pitch. It felt very good yesterday and today, especially looking back on the injury. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’m confident I’ll get there soon. I’m ready for the game against Schalke. We definitely want to win that game. The start of the second half of the season is always very important.

...the reasons behind his move: Hamburg are a big club. I already know the manager and also a few players like Laszlo Benes, Jonas Meffert or Gui Ramos. There’s also the big goal that this club is chasing. I want to help to achieve that goal. I want to give everything. As a loan player, I know that I have to put my strengths on show and integrate into the team straight away.

...head coach Tim Walter: I know him and his style of play already from our time together at Holstein Kiel. I like the way he has his teams play football. I wanted to experience that again. I enjoy the possession football, the squad rotation and the fluidity in attacking positions.

...Japanese players at HSV: Of course I know the Japanese players who’ve played here before me. I’ve also spoken with Gotoku Sakai and Tatsuya Ito since my transfer. They’ve made it clear to me what a big and special club this is. And they’ve explained to me that HSV’s fans will support the team unconditionally – home and away.