Hamburg fortify for long run-in

Martin Jol has brought in a host of new faces as Hamburger SV gear up for their three-pronged silverware assualt over the coming months, with midfielders Albert Streit and Mickaël Tavares among four newcomers on transfer deadline day.

'New challenge'
Just two points off the Bundesliga summit and still in contention in the UEFA Cup and German Cup, Hamburg have sought to swell their ranks for the battle ahead. The 28-year-old Streit arrives from FC Schalke 04 on loan until the end of the season to add midfield guile to a team that have scored only 27 goals in 20 Bundesliga outings this term. Cape Verdean international Tavares, 26, should also foster creative ambition after his €1.5m signing from SK Slavia Praha on a three-and-a-half year deal. "I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and the possibility of playing in front of 57,000 people," said Tavares. "This will be a step up for me."

Gravgaard capture
Hamburg, who will meet Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 this month, have already signed Marcel Ndjeng and Venezuelan midfielder Tomás Rincón in January, and Jol has also taken a chance on two more players. Danish international defender Michael Gravgaard has been signed on loan from FC Nantes until the end of the season and Dutch-born goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh, who has not played since parting company with Kasımpaşa SK at the end of the 2007/08 season, has agreed a short-term deal.