SC Paderborn defender Uwe Hünemeier has revealed he was initially reluctant to join Brighton and Hove Albion in 2015, but the Seagulls proved to be ‘very persistent’ and convinced him.
The defender has been speaking to New Westphalian in Germany as he gears up for the end of his playing career at the end of this season.
He’s enjoyed something of a varied time in the game, starting out at DJK Bokel Youth before moving to Gütersloh junior and then Borussia Dortmund in 2000.
He spent the next ten years working his way up their youth ranks to the first team but only managed five appearances at that level before moving on to Energie Cottbus and then Paderborn in 2013.
Most players would look back on such a spell as something of a disappointment but not Hünemeier, who has nothing but fond memories of his time on the south coast.
“The switch in August 2015 came completely out of the blue,” he said.
“I had no ambition to leave SC Paderborn after their relegation from the first division and had actually committed myself to the club.
“I initially turned down Brighton, but the club was very persistent. I was aware that it would not be an easy step for me. And that I could leave a gap in the Paderborn team.
“But Brighton was an incredibly great and successful time. I gained a lot of life experience. Grateful fans. Little envy. And then we were also promoted to the Premier League.
“I certainly could have stayed there for another year or two, but especially after the Premier League promotion I didn’t get the playing time I had hoped for. That was also due to a long injury. But I still have good contacts at Brighton.”
