Hamburger SV have completed the signing of Pierre-Michel Lasogga on a five-year deal from Hertha BSC for a rumoured fee of €8.5m. Lasogga spent the 2013/14 season on-loan at HSV, scoring 13 goals in 20 Bundesliga games.
Lasogga made a great impression in North Germany, not least with his crucial goal in the play-off against Greuther Fürth that maintained Hamburg's proud record of never having been relegated from the Bundesliga. Lasogga’s deal to join HSV permanently could only be completed once Hakan Çalhanoglu’s move to Bayer Leverkusen had been confirmed, however. With Hamubrg still struggling financially after making the move to become a limited company club.
"It's fantastic that this transfer has now been confirmed and that my situation has been resolved," said the 22-year-old forward. "I'm delighted that I can continue playing for HSV.
He continued, "I hope this will be the start of a new and successful era and I'm pleased to be able to do my bit in the creation of a new Hamburg."
He has been welcomed back to the club by director of sport Oliver Kreuzer, who praised him for his efforts in last season’s relegation battle. "In just a short space of time, Pierre settled in and became a crucial member of our team last season with his excellent performances and important goals," Kreuzer said. "I'm delighted we've been able to tie him down to us in the long term."
After passing a medical, Lasogga has joined his team-mates on their flight to China for their pre-season tour of the Far East.
He becomes HSV's second new arrival this summer, following Zoltan Stieber from Greuther Furth, although the loss of Çalhanoglu could be big for ‘The Dinosaurs’.