Team

Anssi Suhonen joins Odense BK

After nine years wearing the diamond on his chest, the Finnish midfielder is leaving Hamburger SV with immediate effect to join Danish top-flight side Odense BK.

Nine years ago, at the age of 16, Anssi Suhonen left his native Finland and moved to Hamburg on 16th January 2017, joining HSV from Käpylän Pallo. Living at the Alexander-Otto-Akademie, the boarding-school player – whose first German motto back then was “Always do more than the others” – progressed through all youth sides from U17 level onwards before making the step up to the first team in 2021. Following loan spells with SSV Jahn Regensburg and Swedish top-flight club Östers IF last year, Suhonen now completes a permanent move during the January transfer window. In Odense, he will link up with former HSV forward Fiete Arp.

Anssi Suhonen was the first player to board at the Alexander-Otto-Akademie.

“During his time with us, Anssi developed from a young academy player into an established professional,” said director of football Claus Costa on Saturday (17th January). “Unfortunately, injuries repeatedly disrupted his progress, meaning he was rarely able to show his full potential consistently over a longer period. After each setback, however, he always fought his way back impressively. Anssi is a player who always gives everything and leaves his heart on the pitch. That’s how we will remember him. We wish him every success for the next stage of his career – and, above all, good health.”

52 appearances for HSV and a Finland international

The two-footed attacking player made 52 appearances for the Rothosen in the 2. Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, scoring twice and providing five assists. He also featured 17 times in the Regionalliga Nord for the club’s U21 side, contributing seven goals and four assists. During this period, Suhonen also developed into a full Finland international, earning 12 senior caps. “HSV has become my second home over the past ten years or so,” said Suhonen. “This is where I took my first steps in professional football and gained so many valuable experiences. I’m incredibly grateful to the amazing fans, as well as to all the coaches, teammates and staff in the academy and the club offices. I will always remember my time at HSV as a formative chapter of my career.”