The promising defender of Ghanaian descent has inked his first professional deal with the German outfit after rising through their youth ranks as a gifted youngster
German-born Ghanaian centre-back Joel Agyekum has signed his first professional contract with 2. Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, the club have announced.
The 20-year-old, who linked up with the Volksparkstadion campaigners at age 12 in 2017, has now been rewarded with a long-term contract given his talent and is set to figure prominently for his boyhood club as top-flight football is set to be secured next term.
''From the campus to the Volksparkstadion: The Hamburg native, who has played for Hamburger SV's youth teams since 2017 and made his debut for the professionals this season, will continue to wear the diamond on his chest in the coming years,'' an official confirmation read.
Joel had this to say right after inking his deal with his mother club via the club's official website: ''As a Hamburg native, signing my first professional contract with my club fills me with pride and makes me very happy. I feel very comfortable at HSV and feel the club's appreciation. In discussions with those in charge, I was shown a common path that is just the beginning for me. This motivates me to continue training intensively in order to make the greatest possible impact on the pitch.''
Sporting director Stefan Kuntz added: ''Joel is another example of the path we have chosen and our ever-closer integration of professionals and young talent. Joel was not given this next step as a gift from us, but rather earned it himself through ambition, hard work, and talent.''
He has so far featured in 27 games for Hamburger SV ll across all competitions in this current 2024-25 campaign.
Given his Ghanaian root, the Hamburg-born defender remains eligible to play for Ghana at the international level having played for the Germany U18 national youth team,
