Hamburger SV signs Nigerian striker Terem Moffi from OGC Nice for two million euros

Transfer agreement and terms

Hamburger SV completed the signing of 27-year-old Nigerian international striker Terem Moffi from French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on Monday. The German club secured the forward for a reported transfer fee of two million euros, according to media reports. Three years earlier, Nice had committed a transfer fee of 25 million euros, reported across sources as exceeding 20 million euros, to purchase Moffi from FC Lorient. Hamburger SV adhered to its standard policy by not disclosing the exact duration of Moffi's contract.

Sporting director Claus Costa outlined the technical profile and tactical expectations for the new striker ahead of the opening league fixture.

Terem is a striker who, due to his physicality, determination, and style of play, is hard to control. He is able to attack the depth, has an enormous presence in the penalty box, and brings the necessary quality with his back to goal.

Career trajectory and Nice departure

The move to Germany marks the seventh country in Moffi's football career. His previous stops include his native Nigeria, an academy in England, FK Kauno Zalgiris in Lithuania, KV Kortrijk in Belgium, FC Lorient and OGC Nice in France, and FC Porto in Portugal. Moffi spent six years in French football following his 2020 arrival. After moving from Lorient to Nice on loan and completing a permanent transfer in 2023, his time at the French club was interrupted by significant setbacks.

In 2024, Moffi suffered a cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him for an extended period. Following his competitive comeback in 2025, Moffi was physically attacked by Nice supporters after an away loss, after which he declared that he would never play for Nice again. The French side loaned him to Portuguese champions FC Porto for the second half of the previous season, where he registered two goals across 15 competitive appearances. Prior to concluding the agreement with Hamburger SV, Moffi had been training with Nice's reserve team.

Offensive restructuring in Hamburg

Moffi explained that the global reputation of Hamburger SV influenced his decision to join the club, despite their recent seasons in the second division.

Even if HSV played a few years in the second division, the club is still a big name, everywhere in the world. When I told my father about the interest, he immediately knew which club it was and was full of anticipation.

The acquisition of Moffi, who shares the international stage with Nigerian teammate Jordan Torunarigha, is intended to fill several attacking vacancies. Hamburger SV lost three offensive players ahead of the new campaign, with Robert Glatzel joining VfL Wolfsburg, Ransford Königsdörffer moving to 1. FSV Mainz 05, and loan forward Damion Downs returning to Southampton. Moffi represents the second attacking addition after Patson Daka arrived in July. Hamburger SV will open its Bundesliga season away against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at 18:30.