Hoogma waves Hamburg goodbye
Friday, April 2, 2004
Article summary
Defender Nico-Jan Hoogma will leave Hamburger SV at the end of the season to return to the Netherlands.
Article body
Dutch destiny
Hoogma, 35, has decided to return to his home country even though his Hamburg contract does not expire until 2005. The central defender had been expected to remain at coach Klaus Toppmöller's disposal until the end of his deal, as a squad player.
European experience
The Dutchman joined Hamburg in September 1998 from FC Twente. During his six years in Germany, he rose to become Hamburg's captain and led the club to victory in the 2003 German League Cup. Hoogma has played 170 Bundesliga matches, scoring 12 goals, and also saw action in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League.
