Bates joined German side Hamburg from Rangers at the end of the season.
Former Rangers defender David Bates has been quoted by Hamburger SV’s official Twitter account as saying that the German club are as big as his old side.
Bates, 21, joined Hamburg on a four-year deal, agreeing terms before the end of the season on a pre-contract basis that saw him officially become a part of the German side at the end of his Rangers spell.
The former Raith Rovers man is currently in Germany for pre-season, playing alongside stars such as former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby and ex-Leeds United loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
Asked about former club Rangers and the difference in stature compared to Hamburg, Bates stated that he believes the relegated Bundesliga side are similar in size to the Light Blues.
“I moved to Hamburg last week with my girlfriend. The city and the club are both brilliant. Just like Rangers, HSV is a massive club with a lot of history,” Bates said.
“Now it’s about getting accustomed to my new surroundings and learning German. The first few training sessions have been very intense. I want to give my all for the club to help us achieve our goals.”
Bates only managed 28 senior appearances for Rangers before joining Hamburg, but had arguably become the club’s most in-form central defender towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
The loss of Bates at Ibrox, as well as Russell Martin’s return to parent club Norwich City, has seen new manager Steven Gerrard bring Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson to Ibrox.
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