Teams | August 4, 2020 at 10:14 PM
"It feels like the perfect time to join!"
"It feels like the perfect time to join!"
New signing Alexander Schwolow discusses his move to Hertha BSC, nicknames and reunions with old acquaintances.
When Alexander Schwolow entered the building at Hertha BSC on Tuesday afternoon (August 4, 2020), he was already greeted by his virtual likeness on a TV screen. The goalkeeper grinned as he was met by managing director for sport Michael Preetz and sporting director Arne Friedrich, before signing his contract with the Old Lady. "In the end, things went quite quickly, but it didn’t take me long once the discussion with Hertha became concrete," tells Schwolow, who came straight in for his first interview as a Herthaner after signing. In a chat with herthabsc.de, the 28-year-old discussed his transfer, previous visits to Berlin and old acquaintances at the club.
herthabsc.de: Alexander, welcome to Berlin! What were the key reasons for joining Hertha BSC?
Schwolow: Thank you! It was a long process; Hertha have been in contact for a while now. But it didn’t take me long to decide once discussions became more concrete these last few weeks – I wanted to be part of this project. I’ve liked Hertha BSC for a while now, so I’m happy the transfer went through. Now I can hardly wait to get going. It feels like the ideal time to make this move."
herthabsc.de: From the River Dreisam to the Spree – that will be quite a change for you. Who will be joining you in your new home?
Schwolow: My girlfriend will follow soon once we’ve found a flat. We’re expecting our daughter in October, she will be born in Berlin. It’s an exciting period for many reasons (grins).
herthabsc.de: What are your goals with Hertha BSC?
Schwolow: I have some quite ambitious personal goals that I would prefer to keep to myself (grins). I’ve said for many years now that I’d like to take the next step and I see Berlin as the place to do that. My ambitions are well-matched to those at Hertha, we’ve already made it quite clear that we want to have better season than the last one. We will work towards that together. Long term, we obviously aim to play in Europe. Whether we can achieve that next season or not remains to be seen. There is lots of quality within the squad, now we need to gel as a team!
Schwolow: Thank you! It was a long process; Hertha have been in contact for a while now. But it didn’t take me long to decide once discussions became more concrete these last few weeks – I wanted to be part of this project. I’ve liked Hertha BSC for a while now, so I’m happy the transfer went through. Now I can hardly wait to get going. It feels like the ideal time to make this move."
herthabsc.de: From the River Dreisam to the Spree – that will be quite a change for you. Who will be joining you in your new home?
Schwolow: My girlfriend will follow soon once we’ve found a flat. We’re expecting our daughter in October, she will be born in Berlin. It’s an exciting period for many reasons (grins).
herthabsc.de: What are your goals with Hertha BSC?
Schwolow: I have some quite ambitious personal goals that I would prefer to keep to myself (grins). I’ve said for many years now that I’d like to take the next step and I see Berlin as the place to do that. My ambitions are well-matched to those at Hertha, we’ve already made it quite clear that we want to have better season than the last one. We will work towards that together. Long term, we obviously aim to play in Europe. Whether we can achieve that next season or not remains to be seen. There is lots of quality within the squad, now we need to gel as a team!
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[>]I see myself as a modern goalkeeper, I try to support my teammates with instructions and offer an additional option to contribute to build-up play.[<]
herthabsc.de: Bruno Labbadia likes to play with a sweeper keeper. How would you define your style of play?
Schwolow: I spoke with the coach for a long time and realised that our ideas about football were very similar. I see myself as a modern goalkeeper and am already used to being involved in the build-up play. That’s how I define my own game and I always try to support my teammates with instructions and by offering an additional option, in order to contribute to the build-up play. I hope that I can continue developing in Berlin, I’m especially looking forward to working with Zsolt Petry. We already spoke on the phone and will meet each other soon to discuss more.
herthabsc.de: Do you have any history with Berlin? What is your impression of the capital?
Schwolow: Privately, I only properly visited last New Year’s – that was a mistake. I eventually found out that many Berliners leave the city then to avoid all the mayhem – now I understand why (laughs). There is obviously so much still to discover in this city and I’m looking forward to experiencing that – initially just with my girlfriend and a pram (laughs). Obviously, it’s a bit of an adjustment moving to the capital from modest Freiburg, but so far, my impression has been very positive and I’m excited to explore. But first I want to get settled, once step at a time, and perform on the pitch. Then the rest will come naturally.
herthabsc.de: Do you have a nickname? How do your teammates usually address you?
Schwolow: My usual nickname is 'Schwolli'. Very few people call my Alex – my mum was the only one who used to call me Alexander, usually when she was angry (grins). ‘Schwolli’ works!
herthabsc.de: You will soon be reunited with two old colleagues. Marvin Plattenhardt is an old teammate from the Germany national team youth squads, while Vladimir Darida played with you in Freiburg. Did you speak to either of them before joining?
Schwolow: We didn’t speak before, as everything went very quickly in the end and an element of discretion was required. Platte is a funny guy, I always enjoyed playing with him. Vladi was also a really nice guy in Freiburg. He has a great mentality and is a quality player. I’m excited to see them and to get to know the rest of the lads!
Schwolow: I spoke with the coach for a long time and realised that our ideas about football were very similar. I see myself as a modern goalkeeper and am already used to being involved in the build-up play. That’s how I define my own game and I always try to support my teammates with instructions and by offering an additional option, in order to contribute to the build-up play. I hope that I can continue developing in Berlin, I’m especially looking forward to working with Zsolt Petry. We already spoke on the phone and will meet each other soon to discuss more.
herthabsc.de: Do you have any history with Berlin? What is your impression of the capital?
Schwolow: Privately, I only properly visited last New Year’s – that was a mistake. I eventually found out that many Berliners leave the city then to avoid all the mayhem – now I understand why (laughs). There is obviously so much still to discover in this city and I’m looking forward to experiencing that – initially just with my girlfriend and a pram (laughs). Obviously, it’s a bit of an adjustment moving to the capital from modest Freiburg, but so far, my impression has been very positive and I’m excited to explore. But first I want to get settled, once step at a time, and perform on the pitch. Then the rest will come naturally.
herthabsc.de: Do you have a nickname? How do your teammates usually address you?
Schwolow: My usual nickname is 'Schwolli'. Very few people call my Alex – my mum was the only one who used to call me Alexander, usually when she was angry (grins). ‘Schwolli’ works!
herthabsc.de: You will soon be reunited with two old colleagues. Marvin Plattenhardt is an old teammate from the Germany national team youth squads, while Vladimir Darida played with you in Freiburg. Did you speak to either of them before joining?
Schwolow: We didn’t speak before, as everything went very quickly in the end and an element of discretion was required. Platte is a funny guy, I always enjoyed playing with him. Vladi was also a really nice guy in Freiburg. He has a great mentality and is a quality player. I’m excited to see them and to get to know the rest of the lads!