Hamburg’s Jordan Torunarigha speaks on lessons in maturity learned abroad | OneFootball

Jordan Torunarigha’s highly interesting footballing odyssey gets set to continue with newly promoted Hamburger SV in the coming Bundesliga campaign. In an interview published by Kicker the Chemnitz-born centre-back has spoken on the expectations set for him at his new club. The now 27-year-old has also opened up on the things he’s learned in his four years in Belgium.

Torunarigha revealed some of the details of his conversation with HSV board-member-for-sport Stefan Kuntz prior to his early June signing. It was Kuntz who once coached Torunarigha at the Germany U21 level, shepherding him through some of the more difficult phases of his German international career.

While Torunarigha has often been linked with a move back to several German clubs since being loaned out to KAA Gent and ultimately joining the Belgian outlet permanently, the now Nigerian international let it be known that the challenges set forth by Kuntz inspired him to move to the Hanseatic city state.

“I always wanted to return to Germany,” Torunarigha said in the interview. “That was my clear objective. Everyone gave me a good feeling during the talks, and I am someone who needs the right feeling. They expect me to take responsibility. I’ve become a leader and learned to take responsibility.

“At Hertha BSC,” Torunarigha continued. “I was the talent with a lot of potential, but I often couldn’t make the most of it. I often dribbled and missed the moment to pass. I’ve learned from that.”

“Back then, I thought it was cool to be a hothead,” Torunarigha concluded. “[but], With age comes maturity. Now I want to show that I’ve matured and become clearer in my game. I’m not the youngest anymore. At some point, the time will come when I have to take responsibility.”

GGFN | Peter Weis