Bayer Leverkusen completes the signing of Hertha Berlin's Germany U17s international defensive midfielder wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn..

Bayer Leverkusen announced on their official website on Wednesday that they have signed Hertha Berlin's Germany U17s international defensive midfielder wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn.

According to Leverkusen's official statement, Eichhorn has signed on a long-term five-year deal with the club which runs until the summer of 2031.

Furthermore, according to an exclusive report from The Athletic's resident renowned English transfer journalist David Ornstein, Die Werkself triggered Eichhorn's €9 million release clause to sign the wonderkid.

During the process, several clubs, including Bayern Munich, also showed strong interest in Eichhorn's transfer.

Within Germany, the transfer battle for Eichhorn could be described as involving every major Bundesliga club.

Liverpool also held an advantage in the race for the player's transfer battle at one point.

However, due to the fact that the underage Eichhorn had to wait until he was 18 to join the Premier League giants, and FIFA regulations prohibiting underage players from simultaneously representing two clubs and playing for a third club on-loan until adulthood, the Reds ultimately had to abandon the wonderkid's transfer plans.

After completing his transfer procedures, Eichhorn, who was interviewed by Bayer Leverkusen's official website for the first time, said: "After many in-depth discussions, I finally decided to join Bayer Leverkusen; I believe it's the best choice."

"Bayer Leverkusen is a club that can quickly develop many players, even some very young ones, into top professionals. I will do my best to continue this development path here. I am very much looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career at such a vibrant and top European club as Bayer Leverkusen."

About Kennet Eichhorn

The 16-year-old Eichhorn was born on July 27, 2009, in Bernau, Berlin, Germany. He is 1.86 meters tall and plays as a defensive midfielder.

Eichhorn joined Hertha Berlin's youth academy at the age of 8 and completed his first-team debut in August 2025 at the age of 16 years and 14 days, breaking the record to become the youngest player to debut in the 2. Bundesliga competition history and Hertha Berlin's club history.

In December of the same year, Eichhorn scored in a DFB-Pokal match against Kaiserslautern, breaking the record again to become the youngest goalscorer in DFB-Pokal competition history. From this point onward, he gained widespread attention due to his playing style resembling that of former Germany legend Toni Kroos.

Last season, Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the 2. Bundesliga club in all competitions, scoring 2 goals.

Image source: Internet / Bayer Leverkusen official website