16-Year-Old Prodigy Kennett Eichhorn Signs with Bayer Leverkusen After Bayern Block
German midfield prodigy Kennett Eichhorn, 16, has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin after a high-profile transfer battle. Leverkusen activated his €8-9 million release clause and offered a substantial signing bonus, beating Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Premier League clubs. Bayern's supervisory board had blocked a €20 million deal for the player, citing excessive costs. Eichhorn, the youngest scorer in 2. Bundesliga history, will sign a contract until 2031 and is expected to be integrated into Leverkusen's first team.
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Hertha BSC Sells Teen Prodigy Eichhorn to Leverkusen for €9 Million, Deemed a Strategic Win
Hertha BSC has sold 16-year-old midfield talent Kennet Eichhorn to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen for a transfer fee of approximately €9 million. Despite the relatively low sum compared to his €20 million market value, the article argues Hertha is a winner in the deal. Leverkusen had been scouting Eichhorn for two years, and a move was nearly completed a year ago before Hertha convinced him to sign a professional contract with a low release clause. That contract allowed Eichhorn to debut as the youngest second-division player ever and see his value skyrocket. The €9 million fee covers a large portion of Hertha's required €15 million transfer surplus, helping the financially struggling club. However, further sales of key players like Tjark Ernst, Fabian Reese, or Linus Gechter may still be necessary.
BILD - SportKennet Eichhorn Joins Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed 16-year-old German midfield prodigy Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin for a fee of approximately €9 million. Eichhorn, who holds the record as the youngest player to debut in the German second division at 16 years and 14 days, has signed a long-term contract with Leverkusen running until 2031. The teenager, described as possessing impressive maturity, had attracted interest from top clubs including RB Leipzig and Liverpool before choosing Leverkusen, now coached by former Toulouse manager Carles Martinez Novell. The transfer was announced on June 10, 2026, marking a significant investment in youth by the Bundesliga club.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertBayer Leverkusen Signs 16-Year-Old Record-Breaker Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen has officially announced the signing of 16-year-old German defensive midfielder Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. Born in 2009, Eichhorn made his 2. Bundesliga debut in August 2025 at 16 years and 14 days old, becoming the youngest player in the competition's history. He also set records as the youngest goalscorer in both the DFB-Pokal and the 2. Bundesliga. During the 2025-26 season, he made 18 first-team appearances for Hertha Berlin, scoring 2 goals. His mature game-reading and passing ability attracted interest from top clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig. German media report that Leverkusen triggered a release clause valued at approximately €8-9 million, and the player has signed a contract until 2031.
虎扑 - 足球Transfer Now Official: Eichhorn Explains His Move to Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed 16-year-old German midfield talent Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC, making the transfer public on June 10, 2026. The German U17 international chose Leverkusen over interest from FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Eichhorn cited the club's track record of developing young players into top professionals as a key factor. The fixed transfer fee is nearly €9 million, with a similar signing bonus and a million-euro annual salary. Bayer's Sporting Managing Director Simon Rolfes noted the club had been in contact with Eichhorn and his family for a year. New head coach Carles Martínez, who succeeded Kasper Hjulmand, personally traveled to Berlin to convince Eichhorn, playing a decisive role in the transfer.
BILD - SportBayer Leverkusen Signs 16-Year-Old Talent Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has won the race to sign 16-year-old top talent Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC, beating out interest from half of the Bundesliga clubs. Leverkusen activated Eichhorn's release clause and paid the young player a substantial signing bonus to secure his services. The move underscores Leverkusen's strategy of investing in high-potential youth players.
kicker Bundesliga NewsBayer Leverkusen Signs 16-Year-Old Talent Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has won the race to sign highly-rated 16-year-old midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC, beating out interest from half of the Bundesliga clubs. Leverkusen activated Eichhorn's release clause and paid the teenager a substantial signing bonus to secure his services. The move underscores Leverkusen's strategy of investing in young talent, as Eichhorn is considered one of Germany's most promising prospects. The transfer was reported by kicker Bundesliga, highlighting the competitive nature of the deal.
kicker Bundesliga NewsBayer Leverkusen Signs 16-Year-Old Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has won the race to sign highly-rated 16-year-old talent Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC, beating out interest from half of the Bundesliga clubs. Leverkusen activated the player's release clause and also paid Eichhorn a substantial signing bonus to secure his services. The move underscores Leverkusen's strategy of investing in young, promising players for future development.
kicker Fußball NewsHertha Berlin's 16-Year-Old Talent Kennet Eichhorn Joins Bayer Leverkusen
Kennet Eichhorn, the 16-year-old midfield prodigy from Hertha BSC, is set to join Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports from Bild and Sky. The highly sought-after talent, who had attracted interest from FC Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and FC Liverpool, will sign a contract with Leverkusen until 2031. His release clause is reportedly between eight and nine million euros, though his market value is estimated at 20 million euros. Eichhorn made history this season as the youngest player and youngest goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga, with 16 appearances for Hertha. Leverkusen, who recently appointed Carles Martínez Novell as head coach after missing Champions League qualification, also signed Eichhorn's former youth coach Konstantinos Kotsifakis from Hertha. The transfer is pending a medical examination.
Nachrichten - WELTAfter Secret Meeting with Coach, Mega-Talent Kennet Eichhorn Moves to Bayer Leverkusen
Kennet Eichhorn, the 16-year-old German midfield prodigy widely regarded as the nation's most sought-after talent, has decided to leave Hertha BSC for Bayer Leverkusen. The transfer, valued at nearly €10 million with a similar signing bonus and a million-euro annual salary, was finalized after a secret meeting with newly appointed Leverkusen coach Carles Martínez. Eichhorn, who turns 17 in July, had waited for the club's coaching decision before committing. He impressed Martínez with detailed tactical questions during their conversation. Bayer Leverkusen beat out top European clubs including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Liverpool, and Manchester City for his signature. The club plans to integrate Eichhorn directly into the first-team midfield, following the successful development paths of former Leverkusen stars Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz.
BILD - SportBayer Leverkusen Signs Hertha Berlin Talent Kennet Eichhorn via Release Clause
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has secured the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin, activating a release clause after outbidding RB Leipzig. The move marks a significant victory for the Bundesliga club in the pursuit of the highly regarded young talent, who is considered an exceptional prospect. The transfer underscores Leverkusen's strategy of investing in promising youth players.
kicker Fußball NewsBayern Munich Supervisory Board Blocks €20 Million Transfer for Teenager Kennett Eichhorn
Bayern Munich's management, including sporting director Eberl, chief scout Freund, and coach Kompany, held a secret meeting with 16-year-old Hertha Berlin prodigy Kennett Eichhorn at the Four Seasons Hotel before a Champions League semi-final. They attempted to sign the highly-rated teenager, who has a €9 million release clause. However, the club's supervisory board rejected the deal, deeming the total expenditure of €20 million (including a €10-11 million signing bonus for the player and agent) excessive. The board's refusal highlights internal conflict over spending. Eichhorn is also pursued by Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City, and Liverpool, with Premier League clubs seen as most likely to meet the financial demands.
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