Youngest athlete in the annals of the second division's history, making his debut as Herthas Eichhorn.
Hertha BSC's Young Prodigy Kennet Eichhorn Breaks Records
Kennet Eichhorn, a 16-year-old defensive midfielder, has made history by becoming the youngest professional player in Hertha BSC's history. His debut came on August 10, 2025, in a 2. Bundesliga match against Karlsruher SC, where he broke the previous record of 16 years and 142 days[1][2][3][5].
Eichhorn's impressive career began when he joined Hertha BSC's youth academy at the U9 level in 2017[1]. His hard work and talent were quickly noticed, leading him to sign his first professional contract with the club on July 4, 2025[1].
The young prodigy has already caught the attention of top German clubs, with Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt expressing interest in his skills[2][3]. Transfermarkt values him at €3 million at the start of his professional career, a figure higher than that of players like Jamal Musiala and Timo Werner when they began, highlighting his exceptional potential[2][3].
Coach Stefan Leitl highly regards Eichhorn, calling him an "absolutely fantastic talent"[4]. In fact, Leitl is willing to provide minutes to Eichhorn if given the opportunity[4]. Eichhorn's teammates and coaching staff have also praised his talent, with Fabian Reese describing him as "an incredible, exceptional talent" with "all doors open" should he continue developing[2][3][4].
Hertha BSC aims for promotion to the Bundesliga, and Eichhorn is viewed as a key figure in their plans moving forward[4]. The club believes that with Eichhorn's talent and potential, they have a strong chance of achieving their goal.
It's worth noting that Eichhorn broke Boris Mamuzah Lum's record as the youngest professional player at Hertha BSC[6]. Mamuzah Lum, who debuted for the club last year, previously held the title[6].
Recently, Eichhorn signed a long-term contract with Hertha BSC, ensuring that he will continue to develop within the club[7]. With his exceptional talent, high market value, and interest from major clubs, Eichhorn's career trajectory is viewed as extremely bright[1][2][3][4].
[1] Hertha BSC Official Website [2] Transfermarkt [3] Bild [4] Kicker [5] Sport Bild [6] Berliner Zeitung [7] Sport1
Kennet Eichhorn's exceptional talent has led him to break the record for the youngest professional player in European football leagues, specifically those in Germany, as he made history with Hertha BSC. His impressive skills have caught the attention of top German clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, and analysts have even compared his potential to that of Jamal Musiala and Timo Werner at the beginning of their careers.
