After Stabæk's coach Jan Jönsson moved to Rosenborg ahead of the 2011 season, he stated that he wanted to sign Hauger, whose contract expired after the season, and dubbed Hauger as one of the best footballers in Norway. Stabæk was unwilling to sell Hauger to another Norwegian club, and Hauger played for Stabæk until August 2011, when he was sold to German side Hannover 96. He had been wearing the number 7 shirt for many years in Stabæk, but as this was already taken by Sérgio Pinto, Hauger got the shirt-number 15. Hauger made his debut for Hannover 96 on 6 August 2011, when he played the last 21 minutes as a substitute for Pinto in the opening match of the 2011–12 Bundesliga against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Hauger got limited playing time in Hannover and joined Lillestrøm on loan in August 2012. He made his debut for the club against Fredrikstad on 1 September 2012 when he replaced Espen Søgård at half time.