Costa on Reis leaving HSV: “There were tense moments too” | OneFootball

In recent years, few HSV players were as popular as Ludovit Reis. Now sporting director Claus Costa has spoken in greater detail for the first time about his departure to Club Brugge.

In an interview with Mopo, Costa looked back on his nearly seven years at HSV and described the negotiations over the former fan favorite as the most intense talks he experienced. No wonder: Reis was no ordinary player. The Dutchman made 116 competitive appearances for the Rothosen, developed into a leader, and played a major role in the club’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 2025.

Accordingly, it was a difficult decision for those in charge to let the midfielder leave. “We wanted to keep him after the promotion, but he was very clear about wanting to move,” Costa explained. “Brugge also had clear ideas — but so did we.”

The negotiations therefore turned into a real test of endurance. Costa revealed: “Bringing everything together emotionally, rationally and in terms of content was tough.” He said the talks with the officials from Belgium in particular pushed him. “There were moments of tension too,” the HSV sporting director said openly. In the end, however, a solution was found “that worked for everyone.”

Photo: Getty Images

HSV could earn up to eight million euros for Reis

For HSV, the deal paid off financially at least. Around seven million euros came to Hamburg for Reis. Through possible bonus payments, the amount could still rise to as much as eight million euros. This money gave the Hanseatic club important flexibility in planning their squad for their first year back in the Bundesliga.

The fact that Costa still does not see this transfer as just a routine business transaction was clear from his remarks. After all, it was he himself who convinced Reis to move to Hamburg in the summer of 2021. “I introduced him to HSV and our plans for him when he was here for the very first time, and I supported him until the very last day,” said Costa.

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