“Successful” start at Basaksehir
©IMAGO
Davie Selke scored and headed 22 goals to help Hamburger SV win promotion to the Bundesliga last season, but after just one year the paths between the top scorer and the North Germans parted ways again in the summer. The 30-year-old center forward moved to Basaksehir in Istanbul on a free transfer. In an interview with “Mopo”, Selke looked back on “the best year I have experienced in my professional career”.
In the seventh attempt, HSV was able to make a Bundesliga comeback with Selke. Both sides could have imagined an extension of the cooperation for a long time, but the contract poker that lasted for months was unsuccessful. “Of course, this ending wasn’t exactly what I wanted at the time and it hurt a bit. But it is what it is now. I’m grateful for the time,” explained the veteran, who is sure that he would have received and used enough assists from winger Jean-Luc Dompé in the German upper house.
“Let’s put it this way: the bond that Jean-Luc and I had on the pitch was outstanding. I am firmly convinced that it would have worked in the Bundesliga too,” said Selke. The Frenchman Dompé proved to be a reliable and dangerous assist provider with nine goals and 14 assists. With Selke, Ransford Königsdörffer (14 goals) and Robert Glatzel (10), HSV was by far the most dangerous trio in the 2nd league in 2024/25. Before the northern derby on matchday 13 against Werder Bremen (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.), Dompé has two assists. Königsdörffer and Glatzel, who was mostly a substitute on the bench until his injury, only managed two successful shots together.
After the “indescribable” year in Hamburg, Selke seems satisfied with his choice of Basaksehir. So far, the 2017 U21 European champions have scored five goals in nine games across all competitions. After a good start, he struggled with a calf injury for weeks. “When I came back, I needed a bit of time, but then I scored again. That’s why I would describe the start in Turkey as a success overall.” However, he has to watch the duel against Fenerbahce (this Saturday at 6 p.m.) because of the first yellow-red card of his career.
Ex-HSV striker Selke has arrived at Basaksehir
Selke explained: “It’s a cool experience for us as a family. Istanbul is a very livable cosmopolitan city. That was also part of our decision to experience something completely new, that we wanted to live in a city that we really enjoy. And I also like it in terms of sport, to experience something completely new, to see different stadiums and play against other opponents.”