Canellas from Hamburg to Kiel

Times are changing at THW Kiel. After the two Icelandic Aron Palmarsson (latest from 2015 to MKB-MVM Veszprem) and Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (now to FC Barcelona) have announced their departure from the three-time EHF Champions League winner, a new face has arrived: Joan Canellas, Spanish world champion and top scorer of the 2014 EHF EURO.

Canellas cancelled his contract at HSV Hamburg (valid until 2017) to transfer immediately to THW Kiel, like his teammate Domagoj Duvnjak already had done one year ago. Hamburg is currently facing financial problems and it is still unsure if they get the licence for the upcoming Bundesliga season.

“I wanted to stay in the strongest league of the world. And to be a part of THW Kiel, makes me feel extremely proud. I will do my best to continue the successful history of Kiel,” Canellas was quoted on the THW website.

 “It is a pity that Joan Canellas leaves our club, as he is an extraordinary playmaker. We wish him all the best,” HSV director Holger Liekefett was quoted on the club website. Canellas arrived from Atletico Madrid in summer 2013.

Canellas (27) signed a three-year-contract in Kiel and is the fourth newcomer for the next season after Duvnjak, VELUX EHF Champions League winner Steffen Weinhold (SG Flensburg-Handewitt) and young talent Rune Dahmke.

“We are extremely happy that Joan Canellas decided to join THW Kiel despite the big number of top offers he had,” THW press officer Christian Robohm said.

“We have a close look on his development since years. Joan Canellas is a handball player with incredible skills. Thanks to his signature we have more options in the back court,” Kiel coach Alfred Gislason said.

Canellas is not the only new face at THW, as also the club leadership will undergo a change: Manager Klaus Elwardt quit his job, and THW signed their former player and managing assistant Thorsten Storm, who is manager at Rhein Neckar Löwen at the moment. Storm is supposed to arrive at Kiel in 2015.