Daniel Peretz’s journey through European football has taken another twist as the Bayern Munich goalkeeper prepares to swap Germany for England in a bid to revive his career. On January 1, 2026, it was reported by multiple sources, including Bulinews and Sky Germany, that Peretz is set to join Southampton FC on loan for the remainder of the season. The move comes after a frustrating spell at Hamburger SV, where the Israeli international found opportunities hard to come by, and Bayern Munich’s own crowded goalkeeping hierarchy left him searching for playing time elsewhere.
Peretz’s career trajectory has been anything but ordinary. After making a name for himself at Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he played 24 times in UEFA competition, the talented shot-stopper joined Bayern Munich in 2023. However, breaking into the starting lineup at one of Europe’s most storied clubs was always going to be a tough ask, especially with Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, and Jonas Urbig all competing for the number one jersey. According to reports, Peretz has managed just seven appearances for Bayern since his arrival—hardly the amount of action a 25-year-old with ambitions of regular football would hope for.
Seeking more minutes, Peretz was loaned to Hamburger SV for the first half of the 2025-2026 Bundesliga campaign. Expectations were high, both from Bayern and Peretz himself, that he would become HSV’s first-choice goalkeeper. In December 2025, Peretz candidly admitted, “I expected to be number one. So far, this has not been the case. Of course, I’m not happy about it.” His disappointment was understandable. Despite the initial optimism, HSV’s manager Merlin Polzin persisted with Daniel Heuer-Fernandes as the club’s starting keeper, relegating Peretz to just two appearances in the DFB-Pokal and none in the Bundesliga.
HSV’s return to the German top flight after a lengthy absence has been challenging. The club sits 13th in the Bundesliga table as of the start of 2026, and Polzin’s preference for stability in goal meant Peretz’s opportunities dried up quickly. The lack of playing time prompted all parties to seek an early termination of his loan agreement, opening the door for a new adventure—and perhaps, a much-needed fresh start.
That fresh start has come in the form of a loan move to Southampton, currently battling through a turbulent season in the English Championship. The Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the previous campaign, have found life in the second tier harder than expected. Under new manager Tonda Eckert, Southampton also find themselves in 13th place—coincidentally the same league position as HSV—six points adrift of the playoff spots as of January 1, 2026.
The club’s struggles have been compounded by inconsistent performances from their goalkeepers. Both Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy have failed to deliver the consistency needed to launch a promotion push, and Southampton’s recent run of four games without a win has only intensified the need for reinforcements. As the January transfer window opened, the Saints identified the goalkeeping position as a priority, and Peretz—eager for first-team minutes and boasting top-flight experience—emerged as an attractive solution.
Peretz’s arrival at St Mary’s will mark Southampton’s fourth signing from Germany this season, joining Damion Downs, Kaspar Jander, and Léo Scienza. The club’s willingness to look abroad for talent reflects both the global nature of the modern transfer market and the specific needs of Eckert’s squad. While negotiations were still being finalized as of the start of the new year, reports from Sky Germany suggested that the deal would be a six-month loan, with Southampton likely to secure an option-to-buy clause for the summer. According to TransferMarkt, Peretz’s current transfer value stands at approximately €2 million—a figure that could prove to be a bargain if he helps steady the Saints’ defense.
For Peretz, the move to Southampton offers a tantalizing opportunity to reassert himself as a starting goalkeeper in a competitive league. The Championship, known for its intensity and demanding schedule, will provide a new set of challenges, but also the chance to play a pivotal role in a club with ambitions of returning to the Premier League. Peretz’s experience in UEFA competitions and his time at Bayern Munich—albeit limited—should serve him well as he adapts to English football.
The move is also significant for Bayern Munich, who have made it clear that their long-term plan is to groom Jonas Urbig as Neuer’s eventual successor. The club’s front office has already hinted that Urbig will be given more opportunities in the coming months, especially if Bayern maintain strong positions in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. For Peretz, this reality made it increasingly unlikely that he would have a future as Bayern’s number one, despite his earlier desire to stay and fight for a place in the squad.
As for Hamburger SV, the decision to let Peretz go was a pragmatic one. With Heuer-Fernandes firmly established as the starter and the club’s focus on survival in the Bundesliga, keeping an unhappy and underused loanee made little sense. The early termination of Peretz’s loan allows HSV to streamline their squad and gives Peretz the chance to find the regular football he craves.
Southampton fans will be watching closely to see how their new goalkeeper settles in. With the club just six points off the playoff positions and the race for promotion heating up, Peretz could play a crucial role in the second half of the season. His hunger for minutes, combined with his pedigree, makes him a player to watch as the Saints aim to climb the table and reignite their push for a return to England’s top flight.
As the January window brings new hope and fresh faces to clubs across Europe, Daniel Peretz’s move to Southampton stands out as a story of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of opportunity. Whether he can seize his chance and become the difference-maker the Saints desperately need remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—both player and club are ready for a new chapter.
