Hamburg join others in mourning death of English footballing legend Kevin Keegan

Hamburg join others in mourning death of English footballing legend Kevin Keegan Hamburg have issued a statement mourning the passing of English footballing legend Kevin Keegan. Not long after the 75-year-old’s death was confirmed late Monday afternoon, Keegan’s former Bundesliga club joined the masses mourning the late “ Mighty Mouse “. The statement on Hamburger SV’s website contained a quote from Keegan’s former HSV teammate Horst Hrubesch.  Kevin Keegan’s time in Hamburg Keegan spent three seasons in the German top flight between 1977 and 1980. Despite the fact that his tenure in the Bundesliga got off to a tumultuous start, Keegan eventually settled in and gave HSV some of his best years. Keegan led Hamburg to a Bundesliga title during the 1978/79 campaign. He also captured two Ballon d’Ors during his three-year-stint. To date, he is still the only HSV player to have twice been selected as France Football’s “European Footballer of the Year” twice.   In his first season, a physical alteration that saw him punch a VfB Lübeck player during winter break earned him an eight week suspension. In his own autobiography, Keegan wrote that he vowed to use this time to learn the German language and win over the locker room. He ultimately succeeded in both endeavors and also earned the respect of local fans. Hamburg Statement on Keegan’s death “ The lively forward led the Rothosen to the German championship in the 1978–79 season and thrilled fans with his passionate and spectacular style of play, ” the statement reads. “ With his speed, dynamism, exceptional heading ability, and unconditional dedication, he embodied the spirit of teamwork like few others. “ For the fans of the Rothosen, he will remain one thing above all others: a fan favorite, ” the statement continues. “He was an exceptional player and one of the best footballers ever to don the diamond on his chest. ”  Horst Hrubsech’s quote on Keegan “ Keegy was the kind of player every team would still love to have today, ” Hrubesch is quoted as saying on the HSV website. “ He always put the team first and, with his attitude, fired up everyone around him. ” GGFN  |  Peter Weis