Prodigious Germany talent Fiete Arp commits future to Hamburg
Hamburg prodigy Fiete Arp has ended speculation about his future by signing a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 30 June 2020.
Arp enjoyed his breakout season in 2017/18, debuting against Werder Bremen on 30 September and becoming the first player born in the 2000s to score in the Bundesliga a month later, in a game against Hertha Berlin.
The 18-year-old forward netted twice in 18 top-flight appearances all told, but was unable to arrest the slide as HSV - the only ever-present founding Bundesliga member - were relegated for the first time in their history.
"Leaving this club after being relegated was never an option for me," said Arp, who had one year left on his existing deal. "I can't and don't want to part ways with HSV in such a difficult time. Instead I want to give back what they've given to me. It was pretty clear to me early on that my time at HSV isn't over yet."
Arp joined Hamburg in 2010 and played in each of the club's youth teams, before making his Bundesliga debut, aged 17. He received the prestigious Fritz Walter gold medal for his age group – a prize given to German football’s brightest up-and-coming talents - in 2017, and is also a 21-time Germany youth international.
"Fiete knew after the relegation that he wanted to stay here and do everything to get back to the Bundesliga with his club," explained Hamburg chairman Ralf Becker. "It's massive sign for us all that a role model such as Fiete, in spite of the options that were on the table, is staying with us."
Watch: Jann-Fiete Arp reflects on his Bundesliga breakthrough with Hamburg
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Hamburg begin life in Bundesliga 2 on 3 August at home to northern rivals Holstein Kiel, who lost out to Wolfsburg in the 2018 promotion/relegation play-off.