Hamburger SV confirmed on Friday that they have signed Toni Leistner from Queen’s Park Rangers, whilst Hannover 96 have also made a defensive reinforcement, announcing the signing of experienced Swedish left-back Niklas Hult.
Leistner returns to Germany after being released by QPR earlier in the day. The former Union Berlin defender had already spent the second half of last season on loan with Köln.
He will now help to strengthen Hamburg’s shaky defence, with experience of 135 2. Bundesliga games for Union and Dynamo Dresden.
“He is very strong in tackles and has a great personality,” says sporting director Michael Mutzel of the 30-year-old. “He fits exactly into our requirement profile and is the reinforcement we are looking for.”
“I had very good discussions with the management, who totally convinced me,” added Leistner, who is now “looking forward to the task” and “getting to know the guys as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, Hult, who has eight caps for Sweden and has appeared in both the Champions League and Europa League, joins Hannover from AEK Athens and looks primed to be their first choice left-back with no other specialists in the squad.
The 30-year-old was part of AEK’s 2018 title-winning side, and has also played for Panathinaikos, French side Nice and IF Elfsborg in his native Sweden.
Hannover sporting director Gerhard Zuber described him as “a mentality player who fits very well into our required profile.” Hult added he was “very interested” in the move when he found out about Hannover’s interest, and hopes to “bring my running strength and my offensive urge” to the club.
Also on Friday, FC St. Pauli confirmed that Veermann has returned to former club SC Heerenveen after two years at the Millerntor.
“It’s the best decision for me and my family” explained the striker, who scored 17 goals in 39 appearances for the club, either side of a cruicate ligament rupture.
There had also been two transfers on Thursday, with SC Paderborn 07 signing right-back Frederic Ananou from FC Ingolstadt 04, whilst FC Erzgebirge Aue have brought in young goalkeeper Kevin Haar after a trial period. He was previously with Hamburg.
Header image source: Hamburger SV.
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