Reunion with Walter and Meffert: ex-HSV star joins Kiel! | OneFootball

For former HSV star Sebastian Schonlau, the North America adventure is already over after just a few months. He’s heading back to Germany!

After Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the center-back mutually agreed to part ways, it is now clear where the former Rothosen captain is headed: to Holstein Kiel. On the Kiel Fjord, that sets up a remarkable HSV reunion.

In Kiel, Schonlau will not only reunite with former HSV coach Tim Walter, but also with his longtime teammate Jonas Meffert. The trio all arrived at the Volkspark together in the summer of 2021 and worked closely until Walter’s dismissal in February 2024. Meffert and Schonlau then remained key players for the Rothosen and celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga together in 2025.

After returning to the top flight, however, both gradually lost their sporting importance. While Schonlau moved to Vancouver last summer, Meffert joined Holstein Kiel in the winter. When the Storks found themselves in relegation trouble, they brought in Walter as their new head coach shortly afterward. With Schonlau’s move, the three former companions are now finally reunited.

Photo: IMAGO

Walter praises Schonlau because of their time together at HSV

The Kiel officials have made no secret of why they wanted to sign the 31-year-old. Managing director for sport Olaf Rebbe described Schonlau as a “player with great experience and an extraordinary personality” and pointed out that the defender knows both Walter’s way of working and the “North German air” extremely well.

Walter was also pleased about the signing. “Bascho was my captain in Hamburg and one of my most important contacts within the team,” the Kiel coach explained. With Schonlau, they are gaining “an absolute leader” and a player who has already fully embraced his philosophy.

Schonlau himself found the decision in favor of Holstein anything but difficult. “I’m incredibly happy to be here in Kiel now,” said the center-back. When the inquiry came, he “didn’t have to think for a second.”

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