Leonardo Balerdi has completed a permanent transfer from Olympique de Marseille to Hamburg, the Ligue 1 club have confirmed. The move brings an end to Balerdi’s spell in France, where he joined Marseille initially on loan in January 2019 before making the transfer permanent in July of the same year.
Balerdi, an Argentinian centre-back, made over 100 appearances for Marseille across all competitions. He was a regular fixture in the side for much of his time at the club, though his form fluctuated and he occasionally faced criticism from supporters. He was part of the Marseille squad that reached the Europa League final in 2018, losing 3-0 to Atlético Madrid, a team Marseille will face in a pre-season friendly on August 14th.
The defender’s departure is part of Marseille’s ongoing efforts to reshape their squad ahead of the new season. The club has been active in both the transfer market and in managing player contracts, aiming to streamline the team and improve performance after a disappointing previous campaign. Marseille will also play Athletic Club in a pre-season friendly on August 7th.
Hamburg, currently playing in the 2. Bundesliga, will be hoping Balerdi can provide leadership and stability to their defence as they push for promotion to the Bundesliga. The club has been rebuilding in recent years and sees Balerdi as a key addition to their squad. Financial details of the transfer have not been disclosed by either club, but reports suggest it is a modest fee reflecting Balerdi’s contract situation at Marseille. This move offers Balerdi a chance to become a central figure in a team with clear ambitions, potentially revitalizing his career trajectory.
