Zambian international striker Patson Daka has joined German side Hamburger SV (HSV), marking the latest chapter in his professional football career.
The 27-year-old centre-forward completed his medical at the Athleticum next to the Volksparkstadion on Tuesday morning, July 21, before travelling to HSV’s training camp in Austria, where he signed his contract.
Daka will wear the number 27 shirt at the German club.
HSV have welcomed the Zambian striker as an important addition to their attacking options, with sporting director Claus Costa praising his pace, energy and ability to threaten opposition defences.
“Patson has a lot of the qualities we want from a striker in our system. He combines energy and pace with a real threat in behind, while also bringing great intensity to our pressing,” Costa said.
HSV board member for sport Kathleen Krüger also expressed confidence in the striker’s ability to make an immediate impact.
“With Patson, we have brought in exactly the kind of centre-forward we were looking for. He works extremely hard both in and out of possession and is a team player who always puts the side first,” she said.
Daka, who has scored 21 goals in 47 appearances for the Zambia national team, began his football journey with Nchanga Rangers before moving to Austria, where he developed into one of the country’s most prolific strikers.
He spent time with FC Liefering before establishing himself at Red Bull Salzburg. During his time with Salzburg, Daka scored 68 goals in 125 competitive appearances, won four consecutive Austrian league titles and three Austrian Cups.
His outstanding 2020/21 season saw him score 27 league goals, finishing as the Austrian Bundesliga’s top scorer and earning the Player of the Season award.
Those performances earned him a move to English Premier League side Leicester City in 2021.
Daka made history in October that year when he became the first Zambian to score in the Premier League. He later scored four goals against Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Europa League, becoming the first Leicester player since 1958 to score four goals in a competitive match.
During his time with Leicester, Daka made 76 Premier League appearances, along with 15 Europa League and 10 Champions League appearances.
Following the end of his spell at Leicester, Daka will now begin a new challenge in Germany with HSV.
The Zambian striker said he was excited about the move and believes he can contribute by scoring goals and bringing energy to the team.
“I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started. I’m a passionate, energetic player and my job is to score goals. I think that’s exactly how I can help the team,” Daka said.
He added that the warm welcome from the club’s management and the family atmosphere at HSV played a role in his decision to join.
Daka will now look to make his mark in Germany as he begins a fresh chapter with Hamburger SV.
