Klein commits future to Nantes

After ten highly successful years at THW Kiel, left wing Dominik Klein is ready for a new challenge from June 2016.

The 2007 world champion and three-times EHF Champions League winner signed a two-year contract (with the option of a one-year-extension) at French side HBC Nantes. At Nantes, 2013 EHF Cup finalist, he will replace Spanish international Valero Rivera, who is due to return to his home-club FC Barcelona Lassa.

On Monday morning, just two days after qualifying for the EHF Cup Group Phase again, HBC Nantes announced the transfer.

Klein never played abroad before, so to be at the Atlantic coast will be something new for the 31-year-old left wing: “I was looking to find an ambitious club to continue my career, and Nantes with its ambitious project exactly fits in this category;” he said via Skype in a press conference on Monday:

“When I came to visit the clubs’ facilities and met with the management on-site a few weeks ago, I immediately wanted to step into this adventure. I spoke with many international players, and all praised the HBC project. I really want to discover a new league and a new championship.”

And on his Facebook page he added: “I will try to contribute my experience made in Kiel at Nantes to help the team to reach its ambitious goals.”

Nantes’ President Gael Pelletier is “extremely pleased” to welcome Dominik Klein: “This signature is consistent with our project, which is to qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League in the near future. Klein is obviously an important step for us, as he belongs to the best of the world in his position.”

Nantes coach Thierry Anti shares those hopes: “Dominik is a great player with a huge international experience. His transfer truly is a positive signal for our club.”

THW Kiel had offered Klein only a one-year-contract after this season, when his current contract expires. “We are planning in a different way,” club manager Thorsten Storm had stated some weeks ago.

In contrast, Klein was willing not to end his career that early and was looking for another club to continue.

Klein tore his ACL in a Bundesliga match towards the end of last season and just had his comeback in the THW Kiel squad.  After Uwe Gensheimer, who will transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after this season, Klein is the second German top star (and left wing) to sign for a French side next season.