Includes purchase option
©IMAGO
Hamburger SV took action again shortly before the end of the transfer window and presented Albert Grønbaek. The 24-year-old offensive player comes on loan from Stade Rennes and, according to media reports, the Rothosen were able to secure a purchase option. According to “Bild”, this is 5 million euros. In the first half of the season, Grønbæk was loaned out to Genoa CFC and would now like to join HSV for the World Cup in the summer.
“Albert committed himself to HSV very quickly and really wanted to move to us,” said HSV board member Eric Huwer about the transfer. “We are confident about rapid integration – the proximity to his homeland and his understanding of the German language will help.”
Sports director Claus Costa explained: “With Albert we are getting a versatile player who is particularly comfortable in the attacking midfield, but can also be used in the half positions and on the left wing. He is a creative player with high technical quality, has a good ability to get to the goal and at the same time has a great willingness to work against the ball. Albert was part of the Danish senior national team last autumn and is highly motivated to get back to his old strength with us. We want to give him the best possible support and are absolutely convinced of his qualities.”
Grønbæk wants to become a regular player at HSV and thereby recommend himself for the World Cup. The eight-time national player was last in the Danes’ squad in September 2025, which will play against Macedonia in the semi-final playoff for participation in Canada, Mexico and the USA in March.
For Genoa, Grønbaek only played 226 minutes spread over six games. At the end of the year a muscle injury put him out of action. Stade Rennes signed Grønbæk from Norway from Bodø/Glimt in 2024 for 15 million euros, after which his market value climbed to a personal high of that same amount. In Rennes he quickly became a regular, but after the coaching change to Jorge Sampaoli he lost his status and was loaned out to Southampton FC in the second half of the 2024/25 season, including a purchase option, where he was out injured for a longer period. The clause was then not drawn.
Grønbæk’s main position is attacking midfield, although he can also be used as a right or left winger. At HSV he could be planned on the left wing after Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit will be missing for months due to a torn syndesmosis and Jean-Luc Dompé was suspended. After center forward Damion Downs and goalkeeper Sander Tangvik, Grønbæk is the third newcomer this winter. He is the 17th Danish professional at Hamburger SV – more have come from no nation outside of Germany. If HSV activates the purchase option, he would be the most expensive new signing since André Hahn in 2017.
