Now the youngest second division professional
© Imago
This article was first published on August 1st and was updated after Eichhorn’s debut on match day 2.
In recent years, Hertha BSC’s youth produced some promising players – with Kennet Eichhorn, a new talent has made the leap on the big stage. Shortly after his 16th birthday, the central midfielder celebrated his debut for the old lady on the second matchday of the 2025/26 season, he became the youngest professional in the second division history and consequently received his first market value.
Eichhorn will be rated 3 million euros after his first professional game and intervened with a higher taxation than Jamal Musiala in 2020, which had received a market value of one million euros after his debut. “Eichhorn is the latest debutant in the 2nd Bundesliga and significantly undercuts the previous record. He impresses with enormous calm and clarity on the ball at a young age. Before his contract extension in the summer, Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt were already very interested in an obligation,” says market value-admin Julius Weißenstein. Only three Hertha professionals currently have a higher market value.
The Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt are also said to have tried to nationalize U16 Eichhorn, but Eichhorn extended his contract with Hertha in the long term. “We are proud that we were able to convince another self -plant from his perspective. Kenny is already extremely wide for his young age and one of the greatest talents of his year in Germany. He is also symbolic of the Berliner Weg. Now we want to further promote it individually and to accompany it intensively in his development in professional football,” said sports director Benjamin Weber as part of the contract extension. Eichhorn came to the U9 of the Berliner in 2017 and since then went through various youth teams.
Last season, Eichhorn made his debut in the U19, where he was allowed to compete with three years older players, but was in the starting XI twice and scored one goal. The good performances were rewarded with the participation in professional training, where he left a lasting impression. “You don’t notice his young age. He is really good on the road when it comes to physique and his understanding of the game. He is very inquisitive, we have already had many conversations,” coach Stefan Leitl told the “Bild”. Captain Fabian Reese also approved his trainer. “He is an incredible exceptional talent. If he continues, all the doors are open to him. I have rarely seen something talented at that age. He has a huge career in front of him,” predicted the 27-year-old.
TM expert compares Hertha talent Eichhorn with Toni Kroos
Eichhorn replaced his teammate Boris Mamuzah Lum, who debuted against Elversberg in September 2024 shortly before his 17th birthday, as the youngest Hertha professional. “Eichhorn has only turned 16 a few days ago and is already extremely far. Mentally, even mentally, even in the training of the first team, his carefreeness seems particularly noticeable, so it is no wonder that Leitl sees him as an option for the squad. With his contract extension and the jersey with number 23, you have set a clear sign and trusted him in a short time,” explains TM-Expert Tobias Blaseio.
Eichhorn stated that Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Busquets and Toni Kroos are among his role models, which is not surprising due to his position in the central midfield. Blaseio confirms this impression: “He can play in the headquarters or on the eight and impress with his complete skills. The exceptionally well -developed factors such as playing the game, play rhythm and technology have made it interesting for Leverkusen and Frankfurt, but for the time being he takes his steps in the capital. In the end, it takes a consistent development, the right environment and predominant freedom of injury to pass in professional football.