After Meffert's departure: This HSV star now joins the team council | OneFootball

Sambi Lokonga has quickly become a central figure at HSV. Both athletically and personally, he plays an important role.

The Belgian, who moved from Arsenal to the Elbe this summer for just 300,000 euros, is so far one of the big winners of this season. With strong performances in central midfield and already four goals this season, the 26-year-old has quickly become indispensable. Now comes the reward: after Jonas Meffert’s winter departure to Holstein Kiel, Lokonga has been appointed to the team council.

That this decision comes as no surprise was made clear by HSV coach Merlin Polzin. “He joined us relatively late in the summer, by which time the team council had already been established. But it was only a matter of time before he took this step as well,” Polzin explained before the Freiburg match in an interview with Sky. “He not only delivers good performances on the pitch, but also leads as a role model in the dressing room.”

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HSV has known Lokonga “for a very, very long time”

Sporting director Claus Costa also emphasized the importance of the midfielder. In a conversation with transfer guru Florian Plettenberg, he looked back in detail at how the deal came about. “We have known him for a very, very long time. Unfortunately, for the past seven years, he was in no way affordable for us. He was playing in a completely different sphere,” said Costa on Sky. Only after promotion did a realistic chance arise: “When the door opened a little in the summer, we made a huge effort to get him. We then had to be a bit patient until the price was right.”

The small investment has more than paid off so far. “He is a very intelligent player with great vision,” Costa praised. “Now he’s also discovered his goal-scoring threat.” A simple but striking calculation: each Lokonga goal has cost HSV an average of just 75,000 euros!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.