Team

Tim Leibold heads to the MLS

The 29-year-old left-back is leaving HSV after three and a half years and will head to the North America to play in the MLS.

Hamburger SV and Tim Leibold are going their separate ways from now on after intensive years together: the 29-year-old left-back is moving to Major League Soccer (MLS), in all likelihood to Sporting Kansas City, with whom there are already advanced talks. "Tim approached us with the desire to make a move in order to take on a new sporting challenge. As he has always put himself at the service of the club and the team during his time at HSV, we have complied with this wish," explains board member Jonas Boldt. "As captain and vice-captain, Tim not only led the team on the field, but also knew how to convince off the pitch with his positive manner. We wish him all the best for the future and Tim knows he will always be welcome at Volksparkstadion."

Leibold himself says of his move: "An intensive, instructive and above all enjoyable time at HSV is coming to an end. I would like to thank the club, all the people at the office and of course the incredible fans. I am proud to have played in this stadium and for this club and to have been its captain for a season. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the squad and firmly believe in a return to the Bundesliga."

Respected and recognised: Tim Leibold (left) and buddy Sonny Kittel.

Respected Leader

Tim Leibold had moved from 1. FC Nürnberg to Hamburger SV for the 2019/20 season and immediately took on a role as a key performer and leading player for the Rothosen. In his debut season with the raute on his chest, the Böblingen-born player completed the maximum 3,060 second-division minutes and marked an outstanding 16 assists - a league best this season and the highest HSV figure in this category since detailed data collection began some 30 years ago. In the following season 2020/21, "Leibe" led HSV as the 30th captain since the introduction of the Bundesliga in 1963 and also took on a lot of responsibility as vice-captain behind Sebastian Schonlau in the following as well as the current season.

On the pitch, the likeable cheerful character has again been slowed down by injuries over the past 14 months. A ruptured cruciate ligament at the end of October 2021 and a torn muscle fibre about a year later meant that the crowd favourite, who had always been fit, was able to record little playing time. During this difficult time for him personally, Leibold always served the team in an exemplary manner with his positive manner.

Thank you for your services under the sign of the raute and good luck in the USA, Tim!