Bayer Leverkusen sign teenager Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin
Kennet Eichhorn has joined Bayer Leverkusen after an impressive breakthrough campaign at Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin.
Eichhorn made history last August as the youngest player to start a Bundesliga 2 match, immediately displaying remarkable composure for a 16-year-old midfielder. He went on to make 17 appearances for Hertha during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring his first professional goal in a 2-1 win over Greuther Fürth in May.
"We are very happy we were able to convince Kennet Eichhorn of our approach. We were already in close contact with Kennet and his family a year ago, and even back then we formed a good bond. That was also always evident in this year's talks," said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.
"Kennet shares our view that Bayer 04 offers the best conditions for him to develop into an absolute top player in the Bundesliga. The talks with our head coach Carles Martínez were also characterised by great agreement on footballing issues and mutual trust. With Kennet, we now have one of the best German talents in our ranks."
Eichhorn, who is a product of the Hertha youth academy, says he jumped at the chance to play Bundesliga and European football with the 2023/24 domestic double winners. The teenager has signed a long-term deal.
"After really very good talks, I decided on what I consider to be the best solution: Leverkusen is a club that has quickly developed many players, even very young ones, into top professionals," commented the Bernau native, who will wear the number 18 jersey at Leverkusen.
"I will do everything I can to follow a similar path here. I'm really looking forward to taking my next steps at such an exciting, top European club like Bayer 04."
Watch: The best of Kennet Eichhorn
Eichhorn is expected to join up with the Leverkusen squad for pre-season training in July, with their first competitive match under new coach Carles Martínez a DFB Cup tie away to Wehen Wiesbaden on 21-24 August.
Die Werkself, who finished sixth last season to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, begin the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign the following weekend.
