Hamburg sign Davie Selke from second division rivals Cologne

SV Hamburg have signed forward Davie Selke from second division rivals Cologne, the club said on Thursday.

Hamburg didn't disclose further details of the contract, such as the length of the deal. Selke's contract with Cologne ended last month and, therefore, he joined the new club on a free transfer.

"HSV is one of the most exciting clubs in German football and the thought of helping to get the club back in the Bundesliga had me interested right away," Selke said.

The striker has plenty of experience in German football, having also played for Werder Bremen, RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin.

Hamburg finished fourth in the second division's past season. They were relegated for a first time in 2018 and since then had three previous fourth-place finishes while losing play-offs in 2022 and 2023 after coming third.

Cologne, meanwhile, were directly relegated from the Bundesliga last season after finishing 17th.