Swede keeper Sjöstrand to join Kiel

Swedish international Johan Sjöstand will be playing for THW Kiel from the start of next season.

The 25 year-old goalkeeper, who plays with Danish league club Aalborg Håndbold this season, is seen as the long term successor to the legendary Frenchman Thierry Omeyer for the German Bundesliga, German Cup, and VELUX EHF Champions League holders.

36 year-old Omeyer will return to France and play with his former club Montpellier Agglomération HB at the end of this season.

“It is a big boost for me to be allowed to wear they jersey of THW Kiel. I am looking forward to the years to come, to work together with my good friend Andreas Palicka (another Swedish national team goalkeeper), and to the fantastic atmosphere in Kiel’s Sparkassen Arena,” said Johan Sjöstrand, who has signed a three year contract with the Zebras.

Kiel director Klaus Elwardt was also clearly delighted with the confirmation of Sjöstrand’s signing.

“We are happy to have signed a young, but still internationally experienced goalkeeper in Johan Sjöstrand. We are convinced that Johan together with Andreas Palicka will form a strong goalkeeper duo, which will bring success to the club in the future,” Elwardt said.

The Swede, who joined Aalborg earlier this season after having been released by FC Barcelona Intersport, becoming surplus to requirements after the signing of Arpad Sterbik from Atlético de Madrid.

Aalborg Håndbold director Jan Larsen, was grateful to have Sjöstrand this season, but was realistic about how long he was going to play in Denmark:

“We knew the whole time that we might only be able to benefit from Johan´s skills for this season.

“However, we are proud to have been able to attract a player of his caliber to the Danish league, and we are still looking forward to benefitting from his qualities in the Final4 of the Danish Cup as well as in the remaining matches in the Danish league and in the championship play-offs.”