Team

Robert Glatzel leaves HSV for Wolfsburg

After five seasons with the Rothosen, the 32-year-old centre-forward is joining the relegated Bundesliga side. Eric Huwer: “Bobby has made an enormous contribution to HSV, both on and off the pitch.”

Robert Glatzel will leave Hamburger SV this summer. The 32-year-old centre-forward will join relegated Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg for the 2026/27 season, bringing his five-year spell with the Rothosen to an end. During that time, he became far more than simply a goalscorer to the club and its fans.

“Bobby has made an enormous contribution during his five years at HSV, both on and off the pitch. As well as scoring so many goals, his personality made him an important presence within the team and beyond. We would like to thank him for our time together and all the memories we have shared. We wish him and his family nothing but the best for the future, and they will always be very welcome back at the Volkspark,” emphasised HSV board member Eric Huwer.

“Bobby has been a hugely important member of our team over the past few years, and not only because of his many goals and assists. He was a focal point of our play throughout our years in Bundesliga 2, with promotion and his Torjägerkanone top-scorer award in 2023/24 undoubtedly the highlights. After a season in which he was understandably unhappy with the amount of playing time he received, we can appreciate his desire for a new challenge and have therefore agreed to his request to leave. We wish Bobby all the very best for what lies ahead and, of course, he will always be welcome here,” commented HSV sporting director Claus Costa.

More than a goalscorer

Robert Nesta Glatzel became one of the defining figures in the HSV squad after joining in summer 2021, with his importance to the club extending far beyond his performances on the pitch. His numbers speak for themselves. The striker scored 84 goals in 150 competitive appearances in a HSV shirt, finding the net once every 132 minutes on average.

Glatzel’s 76 league goals place him third on HSV’s all-time league scoring list since the introduction of professional football in 1963, behind only Thomas von Heesen (99) and Uwe Seeler (137). He also registered 22 assists during his time with the Rothosen.

Glatzel was not only a prolific goalscorer for HSV, but also a player the fans could identify with and a firm favourite in the stands. Born in Munich, he was among the longest-serving members of the first-team squad, surpassed only by Bakery Jatta, who joined in 2016, and Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who arrived in 2019. Glatzel showed tremendous perseverance during four attempts to return to the Bundesliga with the Rothosen before they finally achieved their goal last summer.

“My time at HSV has been the best of my career so far. I’m grateful for every moment I was able to experience with this special club. We went through highs and lows together, and it is the wonderful memories in particular that I will carry in my heart forever. There is little left for me to do except say thank you to all the fantastic teammates, coaches, members of staff and club employees I have worked with, and of course to the fans, whose support I have felt so strongly throughout the years,” stated Glatzel as he bid farewell.