By Roberto Lamprecht
Hertha continues to tinker with a low budget on the resurgence squad.
So far, Hertha has only spent a small six-figure sum on goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck (KSC), left-back Jeremy Dudziak (Fürth) and wingers Fabian Reese (Holstein Kiel) and Gustav Christensen (FC Midtjylland). Now comes the fifth newcomer – free of charge!
The capital club signed central defender Toni Leistner (32) until 2025! The second division team confirmed this on Friday evening.
Leistner, who will be 33 in August, has spent the last two years playing for first division team St.-Truiden in Belgium, where he, like ex-Herthan player Jordan Torunarigha (25/KAA Gent), is one of the best defenders in the league.
Why does Leistner suit Hertha so well?
Firstly, he is free (Hertha must first get rid of expensive stars such as Piatek, Tousart, Serdar, Lukebakio, Schwolow and Kempf before new stars can be bought).
Frenchman Lucas Tousart needs to be sold to slim down the payroll a bit Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
Secondly, he is an absolute leader, having captained his clubs in the past. In Berlin he is to lead the young defenders Marton Dardai (21), Linus Gechter (19) and Joel Da Silva Kiala (19).
Toni Leistner (left) should lead the young defense colleagues at Hertha
Third, Hertha Leistner’s mentality can be used on the pitch and in the dressing room. Just like his header strength.
Long Union past
The Saxon (born in Dresden) is no stranger to Berlin: from 2014 to 2018 he played 119 competitive games for 1. FC Union (115 games in the 2nd division and 4 appearances in the DFB Cup).
From the capital he then moved to the island in the Championship to the Queens Park Rangers (71 competitive games). He then went to 1. FC Köln (13x Bundesliga), HSV (20x 2nd division and 1x DFB Cup), before he played for St.-Truiden in Belgium (52 competitive games).