HSV win van Buyten race
Hamburg have splashed out a fee in the region of ‚é¼4 million to lure van Buyten to Die Bundesliga from Marseille.
Van Buyten has signed a four-year contract with Hamburg and is delighted to have linked up with Klaus Toppmoller's side.
''I really wanted to join Hamburg because I was completely convinced after talking to the club's representatives," said van Buyten.
"I believe that something big is emerging here at Hamburg and I am happy to be part of that.''
Hamburg coach Toppmoller had pinpointed van Buyten as the prime candidate to fill the gap left by the farewell of experienced Dutchman Nico-Jan Hoogma. ''
''He was my absolute favourite for the job in the heart of defence and I am happy like a little child that we managed to get him,'' beamed Toppmoller.
Van Buyten is already the third high-profile signing for the InterToto Cup starters, who had strengthened their squad with Belgium international striker Emile Mpenza and Germany's rising star Benjamin Lauth.
The imposing stopper spent the second half of last season on loan at Manchester City but the Premiership outfit were never confident of securing the centre half's signature on a permanent basis.
However, City boss Kevin Keegan, who enjoyed a spell as a player with Hamburg, will perhaps be surprised that van Buyten opted to join the German outfit.
