With the commitment of Gonzalo Perez de Vargas, the THW Kiel has succeeded in a transfer coup. The German handball record champion managed to get rid of the Spanish national goalkeeper from FC Barcelona. In an interview, the world-class goalkeeper now explained why he decided to switch to HBL.
“I made the decision for the THW Kiel two years ago. It was a life decision that I carefully considered over three or four months,” Gonzalo Perez de Vargas looked back on his switch to the fjord in an interview with the “Kieler Nachrichten”, which has been clear since August 2023.
“At such an important moment, of course, you look at a change from many perspectives. But after the many successful years I was at a point of my career to try something new,” said the 34-year-old, who had previously stood in the box of FC Barcelona for eleven years. Finally, however, he felt “for a new adventure”.
Handball: New keeper at THW Kiel “very happy”
The international will have to wait a little for his HBL debut. In February the superstar tore the cruciate ligament tear in the left knee. In order to be able to stand on the record again as quickly as possible, Perez de Vargas is currently completing coordination exercises with goalkeeper coach Mattias Andersson in the training camp in Graz.
“If you come to a new club, of course you want to prove yourself immediately,” said the Spaniard: “But the injury taught me that you have to tackle everything with the necessary calm. I don’t sit down, but maybe I can attack again in November.”
The 199-fold national player does not have any doubts about his decision to switch from warm Spain to the Baltic Sea: “It is the right step. Even if it is a big step after so many years at FC Barcelona. So far I’ve been very happy. Kiel is a beautiful city in summer.”