Tim Leibold joins Sporting Kansas City - Leaves Hamburg on a free transfer
The article first appeared on Jan. 10 and has been updated with new information.
Tim Leibold has joined Sporting Kansas City. On Tuesday, Hamburger SV confirmed that the left-back is going to leave the club to join a club in Major League Soccer. As reported by Transfermarkt on Monday, that club is going to be Sporting Kansas City, who have since confirmed the transfer of the 29-year-old. Leibold has signed a contract until 2025 with a club option for 2026.
"Tim has approached us with the wish for a new sporting challenge," HSV director of sport Jonas Boldt said in a club statement. "Because he has always put the club and team ahead of himself, we decided to grant him his wish. Tim has not only guided the club as the captain and vice-captain on the field but was also convinced by his positive attitude off the pitch. We wish him all the best for the future, and Tim will always be a welcome guest at the Volksparkstadion."
Leibold joined Hamburg in 2019 for €1.8 million from 1. FC Nürnberg and played 83 games (five goals and 22 assists) for the club. His contract was originally set to expire this summer, and the 2. Bundesliga side will not receive a transfer fee. "It has been an intense and instructive time at HSV," Leibold said in a statement. "I want to thank everyone who is working at the club and the incredible fans as well. I am proud to have played in this stadium, for this club, and been the captain for one season as well. I will always keep my fingers crossed for the team, and I hope they can return to the Bundesliga."
Leibold to Sporting Kansas City - Injuries prevented a better career
In Leibold, Sporting KC are on the verge of signing a talented left-back, who was often held back by injuries. The 29-year-old missed 27 games with injuries over the last two seasons (to the injury history). But when fit, Leibold was always one of the most talented players in Hamburg's squad, who could have had a good career in Germany's first division. Leibold will now become the third left-back under contract at Sporting KC. The MLS club already has Ben Sweat and Logan Ndenbe under contract and it will be interesting to see whether one of those players will now be moved.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 30, 1993 (30)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Sporting Kansas City
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- Position:
- Left-Back
- Market Value:
- €1.00m
- Total Market Value:
- €45.10m
- Competition:
- 2. Bundesliga
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Steffen Baumgart
- Squad size:
- 30
- Latest Transfer:
- Noah Katterbach
- Total Market Value:
- €30.60m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Peter Vermes
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Memo Rodríguez