It's no secret that Damion Downs' move to Southampton hasn't worked. The game time simply hasn't been there for a player that, at just 21, was fantastic at the 2. Bundesliga level last season.
To get back on track, Downs has made the move back to Germany, but, in a way, he's also taken a leap up, too.
Hamburg confirmed on Wednesday that Downs has joined them on a six-month loan. The move sees Downs leap from the Championship to the Bundesliga, as he joins a Hamburg team that, at the moment, is level on points with his former club, FC Koln. Both are in the midst of a relegation fight, and Hamburg believes Downs can turn the tide in their favor.
“With Damion, we filled an open spot in the squad early in this transfer window. He knows the Bundesliga and brings an interesting mix of quality and development potential,” says sporting director Claus Costa, elaborating on the 1.92-meter-tall striker's player profile: “Damion is a vertical center forward who possesses a good mix of size, pace, and depth. With his strengths in transition and his presence in the box, he fits very well into the profile we developed in close consultation with the coaching staff.”
USMNT-wise, Downs is in an interesting spot. His skillset is clearly valuable. He's a proven goalscorer in a good league. He also stepped up in a big way with his shootout goal against Costa Rica at the Gold Cup. Despite all of that, the move to Southampton has certainly delayed his development. Now, though, Hamburg has offered him a chance to get back on track, perhaps in time for the World Cup.