YOUNG KLINSMANN IN GOAL FOR HERTHA

The son of former Germany international Jurgen Klinsmann is gradually carving his own niche at German club Hertha Berlin.


The 20-year old studies at Berkeley in California but reports say he has agreed to a pro football deal with Hertha Berlin.

Jonathan Klinsmann featured in every minute at the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup as the Stars and Stripes team reached the last eight at the age grade event. He was pictured with Pal Dardai’s side for pre-season training with reports claiming the club reached out to the older Klinsmann after his World Cup appearance.

Jonathan is impressed to be in the second team of the club. He has had trials at Premier League sides West Ham and Everton and even at Stuttgart – where he father once played. He deems it a fantastic chance to play in a Bundesliga, getting very close to the action while developing as a keeper.

“It’s a completely different level to the USA. I arrived in Berlin a couple of days early to acclimatise. I trained with Ilja [Hofstadt, Hertha youth keepers coach]. He helped a lot and gave me a lot of tips for training with the senior team,” Jonathan said.

His father is a Bayern Munich legend and he has an enviable reputation as a coach. He coached the German national side before moving over to succeed with the United States Men National Team. He was recently fired as the USMNT World Cup hopes hung in the balance and former coach Bruce Arena brought in to take over.

Jonathan started as a striker, like his famous father, before he moved to stabilize in between the sticks. The youngster says he has Jens Lehmann as a role model. He hopes to improve on his German as he grew up in California. He was in the Bayern youth team while his father coached. He adds that his father’s name can open the door but he wants to achieve with his career.