Loan with an option to buy
Bundlesliga club Hamburger SV has signed Damion Downs, a striker for the US men’s national team, on loan from Southampton. The arrangement includes an option for Hamburg to purchase the 21-year-old, which could position him among the club’s top three most expensive signings. Southampton will get a loan fee of €500,000, while Hamburg will cover the player’s wages. They can secure a permanent transfer at the end of the season for a fee around €10 million, with potential add-ons that could raise it to €12m. Such a fee would surpass the amounts spent on notable signings like Marcus Berg (€10m) and Vincent Kompany (€10.5m).
“With Damion, we’ve addressed a squad position we aimed to strengthen early in the transfer window. He’s familiar with the Bundesliga and offers a promising combination of quality and growth potential,” commented director of football Claus Costa, providing insight into the 1.92m-tall striker. “Damion is a direct center-forward with an impressive blend of height, speed, and ability to break defensive lines. His strengths in transition and presence in the box align well with the profile that the coaching staff sought.”
Downs transferred to Southampton from 1. FC Köln last summer for €8m but faced challenges in securing playing time in the Championship. As a result, he only recorded one assist in 11 appearances for Southampton. Consequently, his market value was adjusted downward in December. This was the first drop in his valuation throughout his career. While at Köln during the 2024/25 2. Bundesliga season, his market worth rose from €1m to €6m. After moving to Southampton, it increased to €8m, but poor performances dropped it back to €7m. Despite his struggles in the Championship, there remains a potential for Southampton to profit from his transfer.
Downs to Hamburger SV – Outmatching Werder Bremen
Hamburger SV wasn’t the only club vying for Downs; Werder Bremen was also in the running. However, Hamburg succeeded in securing his signature, even after losing director of sport Stefan Kuntz to personal reasons. Downs aims to use the Bundesliga as a springboard leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US will co-host. He debuted for the national team in June but wasn’t called up for the October and November matches by Mauricio Pochettino, instead featuring for the U23 team.
Last season, Downs was a standout player for newly-promoted Köln, contributing ten goals and five assists in the 2. Bundesliga. He also added two goals in ten substitute appearances during Köln’s 2023/24 Bundesliga season, despite the club’s relegation. “I’m thrilled to join HSV and embark on this journey with the club. I’ve had positive discussions with management that have given me a clear understanding of our goals ahead. I can’t wait to showcase my talents on the pitch and compete at the highest level of German football,” expressed Hamburg’s new number 19.
