Hamburg FC

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Van Nistelrooy eyes Koln debut

26 Jan 2010 - 07:13:31

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Ruud van Nistelrooy hopes to make his Bundesliga debut for new club Hamburg against Koln on February 6.

The Netherlands striker joined the German club on an 18-month contract from Real Madrid last weekend and revealed the lure of playing in the Bundesliga for the first time persuaded him to make the move to the HSH Nordbank Arena.

"I could have joined a Premier League club as well, but I've already had five great seasons in England," he explained.

"I wanted a new challenge and I'm very excited to play in the Bundesliga now.

"The conversations with president (Bernd) Hoffmann and head coach Bruno Labbadia made me enthusiastic about HSV and compatriots Joris Mathijsen and Rafael van der Vaart convinced me that Hamburg is the right club for me.

"I'm not yet fully match-fit after my injury. Therefore, I expect to make my official debut in the away game against Koln on February 6.

"Moving here is the perfect next step in my career. I want to impress at Hamburg in order to make it into Holland's World Cup squad."