Weydandt, who left the seventh tier to sign for fourth-division outfit Germania Egestorf four years ago, joined the Hanover reserve team in the close-season, but caught the eye of coach Andre Breitenreiter in training and was drafted into the senior side.
Hanover's Weydandt continues fairytale rise with first pro contract
Hanover handed striker Hendrik Weydandt his first professional contract on Monday, after the 23-year-old completed his remarkable rise from the German amateur leagues by scoring on his Bundesliga debut.
He scored twice on his debut as a substitute in a 6-0 German Cup thrashing of Karlsruher, before also finding the net in a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen on the opening weekend of the league campaign, within a minute of coming off the bench.
And Hanover have now upgraded Weydandt's amateur deal to a professional one, after he was an unused substitute against Borussia Dortmund last Friday.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity I'm getting," he told the Hanover website.
"I've been well received -- by the coaching and support staff and by every single player. I really appreciate that."
His career holds similarities to that of England international and former Premier League winner Jamie Vardy, and Hanover sporting director Horst Heldt said his story was a "fairytale".
"'Henne' has absolutely earned his 'promotion' with his strong performances in training, which he has impressively backed up in his first two competitive matches," added Heldt.
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