Hamburg snap up teenage Dutch defender van Drongelen
Hamburg have signed Dutch teenager Rick van Drongelen on a long-term deal from Eredivisie outfit Sparta Rotterdam.
The 18-year-old centre-back has signed a five-year contract with the Red Shorts and becomes their fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Andre Hahn, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Julian Pollersbeck and Bjarne Thoelke.
Van Drongelen made 31 league appearances for Sparta last season, helping the club avoid relegation to the Dutch second tier by virtue of goal difference.
"It's great to be here," he told hsv.de. It's a big step for me and I can't wait to learn from my teammates and to make my first appearance in this incredible stadium."
"He's a young player with great potential," added chairman Heribert Bruchhagen. "Our coach and sporting director worked very hard to bring him here."
Hamburg, who finished 15th in the Bundesliga last term, kick off their campaign at home to Augsburg on 19 August.
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