United States striker Bobby Wood no longer wants to look back on "the most difficult year" in his career following his loan move from relegated Hamburg to Hannover.

Earlier this week, Wood, 25, joined Hannover on an initial one-year loan with a view to a permanent transfer, after only scoring three goals in 25 appearances for Hannover in all competitions last season.

"It was not a positive year," Wood told reporters of his final year at Hamburg. "It was the most difficult year in my career. I was not able to perform the way I hoped for, and the same applies for many players."

Bobby Wood will try to reignite his career at Hannover. AP Photo/Michael Sohn

After years of struggles in the top flight, Hamburg, the only team to have played in all Bundesliga seasons, suffered their first-ever relegation from the top flight.

"It happened, and I must look ahead now," Wood said. "Naturally, that's not that easy. But as an athlete you must write it off as soon as possible. If you allow this to drag you down, you can't perform."

At Hamburg, the club he joined from second-tier side Union Berlin in 2015, Wood scored just seven goals in 52 league games, but he hopes he can return to form at his new club and live up to his potential.

"I am aware it wasn't a good performance last season. But I scored nine goals across all competitions in my first year at Hamburg," he said. "I am a striker, and I just want to score as many goals as possible."