New captain for Polzin's HSV confirmed
In a significant shift for Hamburg SV (HSV), Yussuf Poulsen has been appointed as the new permanent captain for the 2025/26 season. The decision, made by head coach Merlin Polzin, was based on Poulsen's strong sense of responsibility, wealth of experience, and unwavering professional commitment.
Poulsen, who joined HSV from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025, impressed the coaching staff with his maturity and leadership qualities, making him the preferred choice for the captaincy. The Danish international, who has represented his country 87 times, has also played 233 times for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga alone.
Sebastian Schonlau, the outgoing captain, expressed his support for the new leadership arrangement, praising Poulsen's capabilities. Schonlau, who had been captain for four years, is expected to leave the club soon.
With Schonlau not playing in the upcoming DFB-Pokal game due to a test match on Mallorca, Jonas Meffert and new signing Nicolás Capaldo will serve as Poulsen's deputies. However, in Pirmasens, Meffert or Capaldo will lead the HSV onto the pitch temporarily as Poulsen will miss the game due to a minor hamstring injury.
The coaching team discussed who could take on the role of captain in the future and chose Poulsen. The decision was made after the final training session on Friday afternoon, and the team was informed of the decision before departure to Pirmasens.
Poulsen, who will be HSV's 32nd captain since the Bundesliga's founding in 1963, expressed pride in being given the responsibility and a strong desire to fulfill the role fully. He acknowledged that he is stepping into big shoes, as Schonlau was previously the captain, but is looking forward to the challenge.
[1] HSV names Yussuf Poulsen as new captain [2] Yussuf Poulsen to miss DFB-Pokal game due to injury
This article is generated by a model and may not be entirely error-free.
- Yussuf Poulsen, newly appointed as the captain of HSV from the 2025/26 season, will lead European-league football games after demonstrating maturity, leadership qualities, and a strong sense of responsibility during his tenure.
- Despite being the new captain, Yussuf Poulsen will miss the upcoming DFB-Pokal game due to a minor hamstring injury, which means either Jonas Meffert or Nicolás Capaldo will temporarily fill the role as HSV's football team takes the field in Poulsen's absence.
