"I want to score as many goals as I can for Hannover" - USA forward Bobby Wood
A difficult season at Hamburg behind him, USA striker Bobby Wood is ready to turn over a new leaf after joining Hannover on a season-long loan deal on 9 July.
Wood registered just two goals in 2017/18 as HSV were relegated for the first time in their history, but the 25-year-old is optimistic he can rediscover his scoring touch at the HDI-Arena.
"It wasn't an easy situation in Hamburg," Wood said. "There weren't really any positives, so, in a sporting sense, the Hannover move is the right decision for me. I want to look forward, help the team and score as many goals as I can."
Watch: Bobby Wood's top 5 Bundesliga goals
It's easy to see why Wood is so keen to start over. Seven goals in 52 Bundesliga outings is a far cry from his pre-Hamburg achievements with Union Berlin in 2015/16, when he struck 17 times in 31 games - a single-season record for an American in either the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2.
Then there's the small matter of his international career. In and out of the starting line-up since debuting under Jürgen Klinsmann almost five years ago, Wood has returned just 12 goals in 39 appearances for the USMNT.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
*Video translation: Hi, 96ers fans, it's Bobby Wood. I'm delighted to be here, and cannot wait to get started.
Happily, Hannover's top brass believe the Honolulu-born frontman's qualities extend far beyond simply sticking the ball in the back of the opposition net.
"Bobby Wood is exactly the kind of striker we were after," sporting director Horst Heldt said. "He's a big talent who's already shown his potential, and suits us brilliantly due to his teamwork and willingness to run. He's had a tough time of late, but it wasn't all that long ago that half the league wanted him. We're delighted to have signed him."
