Takahara heading for Hamburg
Monday, December 23, 2002
Article summary
Hamburger SV have agreed terms to sign Japan striker Naohiro Takahara.
Article body
Hamburger SV have agreed terms to sign Japan striker Naohiro Takahara for the second part of the 1. Bundesliga season.
Player of the year
The 23-year-old Japanese player of the year is available on a free transfer and has agreed a contract lasting until June 2005. "Takahara will play for Hamburg from the 4th of January," said the club's sporting manager Dietmar Beiersdorfer.
Seasonal gift
Terms were agreed between Hamburg chairman Ronald Wulff and officials from Takahara's club Jubilo Iwata after a nine-hour meeting in Osaka. The move is an early Christmas present for Hamburg coach Kurt Jara, who has been impressed with the forward during a two week trial.
Prolific scorer
Takahara, who did not play at the 2002 FIFA World Cup but is an international and scored 26 goals in 27 J-League games last season. He will be available on a free transfer although an undisclosed fee will be paid for his services.
High hopes
Hamburg have aspirations of securing at least a UEFA Cup place this season. At the winter break, they lie in seventh place and are still considering other options in the transfer market including Israeli international Haim Revivo.
