Ime Okon Returns to Hannover 96 for Second Pre-Season Phase After World Cup Run

The Bundesliga 2 club said in a statement that the 22-year-old centre-back featured in all four of South Africa's group and knockout stage matches before being given a holiday and recovery period. He now joins the second phase of pre-season at Hannover's training camp in Iserlohn.

"Ime Okon will only join the team on Sunday," the club said. "After his well-deserved holiday and a subsequent regeneration phase, the 22-year-old will travel to the training camp on Sunday and then rejoin the team for the first time in pre-season."

Hannover coach Christian Titz told the club's website the squad is now focused on tactical fine-tuning ahead of the July 24 return date. "It's a week that we're using intensively with the team to start fine-tuning. We will go into the accents in terms of team tactics," Titz said.

Okon's return comes as Hannover build toward the new Bundesliga 2 season following South Africa's surprise progression at the 2026 World Cup.