Hamburg coach Polzin backs Moffi for possible Bundesliga debut

Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin believes new signing Terem Moffi can make an immediate impact as the club prepares to face Borussia Dortmund in its first Bundesliga match of the season. The Nigeria striker completed his permanent move from French side OGC Nice this week and could make his debut on Saturday.

Polzin said Moffi’s arrival was a major achievement for sporting director Claus Costa and his recruitment team. The coach was impressed that Hamburg managed to secure the 27-year-old, who had spent the second half of last season on loan at FC Porto after more than three years with Nice.

The Hamburg boss has also been encouraged by Moffi’s attitude since he joined the squad. He described the forward as cheerful, communicative and open with both the coaching staff and his new teammates. Moffi has taken the No. 9 shirt and is expected to add another attacking option to a squad that includes Zambia international Patson Daka.

Polzin said Moffi had already shown a sharp instinct in the penalty area during his first training sessions, although the striker’s readiness for Dortmund would only be assessed after the final session. Moffi trained with Hamburg for the first time on August 25, giving him only a short period to adapt before the trip to Signal Iduna Park.

Hamburg enter the fixture after a 3-0 victory over SC Verl in the DFB-Pokal on August 24. That result provided a positive start to the campaign, but Dortmund represent a much stronger test, having finished second in the Bundesliga last season behind Bayern Munich.

Moffi brings experience from six countries and has scored 24 goals in 72 appearances for Nice. He has also found the net six times in 23 matches for Nigeria. His previous clubs include Kortrijk, Lorient, Nice and Porto, while his three-year Hamburg contract gives the club a longer-term option in attack.