Hertha contract ends
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Toni Leistner could return to his roots this summer. According to “Bild”, the 35-year-old central defender is in talks with Dynamo Dresden. The Dresden native had already played 21 games for the Saxons from 2010 to 2014. Leistner could sign for a free transfer.
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His contract with Hertha BSC was not extended after three years, which the defender said surprised him. In the first half of the season he was still used by coach Stefan Leitl, but after Christmas he was only in the starting line-up six times. In total, the former HSV, Cologne and Union professional played in 85 games for the Old Lady.
Now Leistner has to devote himself to a new challenge; he is not yet thinking about ending his career. At 36 years old in August, the search for a club brings with it special challenges. “The focus is on the family. We have a school-age daughter, the other will now start school in the summer. Planning is no longer as easy as with a player who has no children,” Leistner recently explained to “Kicker”.
A move to his hometown of Dresden would be the logical conclusion under these circumstances, but so far there has been no talk of an agreement in the negotiations. From a sporting perspective, Leistner would be a direct hit for Dynamo, especially since Stefan Kutschke, an important leader in the squad, is ending his career. “That plays a role in transfers, even if you can’t replace Stefan directly,” coach Thomas Stamm explained at the end of last season.