According to reports from Sport Bild, former Hertha Berlin centre-back Jordan Torunarigha is on the verge of returning to the Bundesliga. The former German youth international and Olympic representative is currently in advanced negotiations with newly promoted Hamburg SV. Torunarigha is expected to join the club on a free transfer from Belgian side KAA Gent.
Since his departure from Hertha to Gent in July 2022, Torunarigha has frequently been linked with a potential move back to his native Germany. It appears that his former Germany U21 coach, Stefan Kuntz, who now serves as HSV`s sporting director, has been instrumental in convincing the 27-year-old player to return.
Torunarigha`s journey within German football has been particularly noteworthy. The Chemnitz-born player continued representing Germany through various age groups despite enduring multiple instances of racial abuse from fans. Two particularly disturbing incidents occurred during a U23 match in 2017 and later in a DFB Pokal tie in 2020.
Torunarigha was also featured prominently in the widely recognized documentary “Schwarze Adler” (Black Eagles), a Prime Video production chronicling the experiences of black and Afro-German players representing the German Football Association (DFB). Following his move to Belgium, Torunarigha made the decision to represent Nigeria internationally.
The anticipated transfer to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg is set to become an important new chapter in Torunarigha`s career story. The imposing central defender brings valuable Bundesliga experience, having made 73 top-flight appearances for his former club, Hertha Berlin, also known affectionately as the “alte Dame” (Old Lady).
