Hertha sign son of Germany legend Klinsmann

BERLIN: The Klinsmann name made a return to the German League yesterday as Hertha Berlin signed the son of former United States coach and Germany striker Juergen Klinsmann.

Jonathan Klinsmann, 20, the goalkeeper with the United States Under20 team, has been given an undisclosed contract after two weeks on trial with the Bundesliga club.

Hertha plan to make Jonathan their third-choice goalkeeper, behind Norway’s Rune Jarstein and ex-Bayern Munich shot-stopper Thomas Kraft, and he will gain experience for the Under-23 team in the regional league.

“After breakfast, Michael Preetz (Hertha’s sports director) had a chat and said they had decided at short notice to offer a contract,” said Jonathan at Hertha’s pre-season camp near Berlin.

“It was an unbelievably emotional moment for me, because the club has such a family history. I’m looking forward to everything at the club, the city of Berlin and the challenge of playing in Germany.”

His father, Juergen, who enjoyed a glittering career with Bayern, Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan, has been a member of Hertha since 2004, while his grandfather Siegfried was born close to Berlin and was also a Hertha fan.

However, Jonathan will be the first Klinsmann to play for Hertha.

“Jonathan convinced us with his ability, charisma and ambition. He’ll now settle with us and develop step by step,” said Preetz.

Jonathan was voted the best goalkeeper at the Under-20 Concacaf Championship in Costa Rica in March when the US won the regional title by beating Honduras 5-3 in a penalty shootout.