Hamburger Polo Club have finalised their plans for the 2022/23 season with four new signings confirmed this week as they look toward their EHL debut in their home city.
German international Niklas Bosserhoff has made the switch from Uhlenhorst Mülheim, linking up with fellow new faces like New Zealander Aidan Sarikaya, Austria’s Benjamin Kölbl and Spaniard Saúl Esteve.
“Personally, I’m very satisfied with how we were able to position ourselves for the new season,” said coach Matthias Witthaus. “There will certainly be a lot to do to integrate the newcomers. We also have one or two injured people and there are question marks about their potential use, but overall the package is absolutely right!”
Bosserhoff arrives with 51 caps to his name and was part of the Olympic panel that came in fourth place in Tokyo.
“Niklas moving to us is the absolute top transfer this season for us,” said Witthaus. “He is a seasoned national player and also a top performer with the Honamas. I am pleased that he is going to Hamburg.”
His partner Lucie Hiepen made the move north to the club last year which provided a motivation to the move.
“After 19 wonderful years in Mülheim, I’m looking forward to the new environment and the new challenges. We want to play at the top of the league with the team. Participating in the EHL will also be something special for sure. I’m looking forward to playing the first game with the boys soon.”
Sarikaya will join his compatriots Blair Tarrant, Kane Russell, Nic Woods and Hugo Inglis and will be a natural replacement for Kilian Pöhling who has returned to Harvestehuder THC.
Kölbl, 19-year-old national player from Austria, is a defensive talent who impressed in a trial session and test match. Last weekend, he lined out for the national side against Ireland and Chile.
The 24-year-old Esteve has made the switch across the city from Großflottbeker THGC to Polo having grown up in Valencia. He brings a corner option, netting eight times in the second Bundesliga last term.
On the flip side, Max Werner has left the club to study for his masters degree while Niklas Weiher goes to Clipper THC.