Turned down money: why Daka chose HSV | OneFootball

Patson Daka’s transfer to HSV is official. The Zambia international has already joined up with the squad at the training camp.

One thing in particular stands out: the 27-year-old chose the Hanseatic club even though more lucrative offers were on the table. According to Bild, Daka could have signed longer-term contracts and financially more attractive offers elsewhere. However, those came from leagues that were less appealing from a sporting perspective. Instead, the striker chose the path to HSV and thus to the Bundesliga. The reason: after difficult years at Leicester City, Daka wants to give his career fresh momentum and prove himself once again at the highest level.

For HSV, the deal is also a manageable risk. Daka arrives on a free transfer and has only signed a one-year contract. If the former Salzburg striker performs well, the Hamburg club hold an option to extend the deal. If the partnership does not develop as hoped, both sides remain flexible.

Photo: Getty Images

It is no coincidence that the decision-makers on the Elbe have great faith in the goalscorer’s qualities. Before completing the signing, HSV gathered extensive sporting and character-related information on Daka. The feedback is said to have been consistently positive.

Junuzovic raves about HSV signing Daka

Zlatko Junuzovic has also given a particularly promising assessment. The former Werder pro played alongside Daka at Red Bull Salzburg between 2018 and 2021 and still raves about his abilities today. “If he shows what I experienced playing with him, HSV will get a lot of joy out of him,” Junuzovic told Mopo.

Daka’s pace and runs in behind, in particular, could be an excellent fit for Merlin Polzin’s style of play. “He is athletic and brutally quick. If you send Patson through, he is a real weapon,” Junuzovic explained. Although the striker was never able to recapture his best Salzburg form in England, his former teammate is still convinced: “If he manages that, this will be a good transfer for HSV.” So of all people, a longtime Bremen man is giving Rothosen fans reason for optimism.

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