Former Nigerian international Sambo Choji in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa admitted he was disappointed that Philip Otele did not secure a permanent stay in Germany with Hamburg, insisting that the Bundesliga would have suited the winger’s style of play.
“When I saw the news on Tuesday, I was very disappointed for Philip Otele because, as a fellow Nigerian, it is always good to see our players doing well in Germany, where I also played,” he exclusively told Footy-Africa. “It was the same feeling I had when Victor Boniface moved to Bayer Leverkusen. Unfortunately, things did not work out the way many expected for Otele.”
“One goal in nine games is not really impressive for a player who arrived on loan, but I was still hoping the club would keep faith in him and activate the permanent option, which was not too expensive in my opinion. I still believe we will see him again in the Bundesliga because it suits his style of play. Maybe with another club in the near future, but I sincerely wish him all the best at Basel or wherever he ends up next,” Choji added.
So fühlt sich das Jahr 2026 für Philip #Otele bisher an! 😍 Gönnt euch jetzt den brandneuen Spieltagscheck mit unserem Flügelflitzer vor dem morgigen Auswärtsspiel beim VfB Stuttgart. 👉 https://t.co/grrlyNdLas#nurderHSV #VfBHSV pic.twitter.com/JqT78aa5oR
— Hamburger SV (@HSV) April 11, 2026
German side Hamburger SV have officially decided not to make the contract of Nigerian winger Philip Otele permanent following the expiration of his loan deal.
Otele joined Hamburg during the winter transfer window, with the deal keeping him at the club until the end of the campaign. The German side paid an initial loan fee believed to be around €1 million, while the agreement also included a reported €4.5 million option to make the move permanent.
However, the club have now decided against activating the clause after the winger endured a difficult spell in Germany.
Otele managed just one goal in nine appearances for Hamburg, an output the club reportedly felt was not convincing enough to justify a permanent transfer.
Otele’s rise continues as Choji hails Hamburg forward after first Super Eagles call-up
As a result, the Nigerian forward will return to his parent club FC Basel, where he still has a contract running until 2028.
His immediate future now remains uncertain, with the possibility of either staying in Switzerland or seeking a new move during the summer transfer window.
