Hamburg make Holtby move permanent

Hamburg have exercised an option to sign Lewis Holtby on a permanent deal from Tottenham.

Holtby joined Hamburg on a season-long loan from the Premier League club in September last year.

The Germany international played in both legs of Hamburg’s relegation play-off as they narrowly survived the drop with a 3-2 aggregate win over Karlsruher.

And he will remain at the Imtech Arena next season, ending a stint with Tottenham – who signed Holtby from Schalke in January 2013 – that saw him score three goals in 41 appearances and spend time on loan at Fulham.