US defender John Brooks returns to Hertha Berlin
United States defender John Brooks has returned to Hertha Berlin on a two-year contract with his former club in Germany’s second divisionAUGUST 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
HERTHA BERLIN 5-2-5 · 11TH IN 2. BUNDESLIGA
5-2-5 · 11TH IN 2. BUNDESLIGA
Next Match vs SSV Ulm (H) · Sat 12:00PM
German soccer players face racist abuse on social media at U21 European Championship
German soccer player Youssoufa Moukoko has condemned online racist abuse directed at him and teammate Jessic Ngankam as they played at the European Under-21 ChampionshipsJUNE 22, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marc Kempf - Thirty-one starts Kempf started 31 matches and scored once during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Kempf was a consistent starter, playing a major role and leading the back-line. The defender couldn't keep Hertha in the Bundesliga but showed himself to still be a consistent contributor in the top flight. Kempf has been rumored to have drawn interest from clubs in the top flight, including his previous club, Stuttgart.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Agustin Rogel - Ends on bench Rogel was on the bench for the final match of the Bundesliga, but made 20 appearances (14 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Rogel earned a major role before an injury left him sidelined and saw him fall out of favor. The defender could draw interest from elsewhere in the Bundesliga after making 72 clearances and 18 tackles in his substantial role. If he doesn't then Rogel would likely play a major part in the 2. Bundesliga in 2023/24.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Suat Serdar - New career-highs Serdar scored four times and assisted twice during 32 appearances (24 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Serdar put together a career-year in a major role as he scored four times and added a pair of assists. The midfielder was busy with 51 tackles and 18 chances created. Serdar is likely to draw interest from around the Bundesliga after his impressive season with the relegation-bound Hertha.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Florian Niederlechner - Nets single goal Niederlechner scored just once in 16 appearances (11 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Niederlechner put together the worst season of his career, struggling to just a single goal. The forward was a minimal option during his time with Hertha, and will likely be set to remain with the club in the 2. Bundesliga. Niederlechner has shown none of the brilliance that he did during his 13-goal debut campaign with Augsburg.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Dodi Lukebakio - Career-year in relegation Lukebakio scored 11 times and assisted three times while making 32 appearances (27 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Lukebakio put together a true career-year, leading the line and topping nearly every stat. The forward shot 64 times and created 29 chances while sending in 65 crosses. Lukebakio's 14 goal contributions were a new career-high in the Bundesliga.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marvin Plattenhardt - Two assists Plattenhardt provided two assists during 31 appearances (29 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Plattenhardt was able to stay healthy throughout the Bundesliga and played a major role. It came in a season where the club struggled as the whole as Plattenhardt and co. are set for the second division. Plattenhardt would take a major role once more if he remains with the club in the 2. Bundesliga.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jean-Paul Boetius - Role dwindles due to injury Boetius made 21 appearances (10 starts) during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Boetius joined Hertha and was diagnosed with testicular cancer early in the season. The midfielder was able to return and take a substantial role, before suffering a shoulder injury. On the whole Boetius created 13 chances and made 30 tackles while shooting five times.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Peter Pekarik - Finds little playing time Pekarik made five appearances (two) starts during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Pekarik made just five appearances falling entirely out of favor. The defender went unused on the bench throughout the season making just two starts at right-back. Pekarik will likely find a larger role in the 2. Bundesliga.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jonjoe Kenny - Earns starting job Kenny made 29 appearances (25 starts), assisting once during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Impact Kenny took on a major role in the starting XI as he took the starting job in a relegation-doomed season. The full-back has impressed when given a major role but likely won't remain with the club in the second division. Across the 29 appearances Kenny created 17 chances and sent in 54 crosses.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Filip Uremovic - Misses final two matches Uremovic misses the final two matches of the Bundesliga due to a head injury.
Impact Uremovic was one of the most impressive parts of the back line during a tough 2022/23 campaign. The defender made 22 appearances (21 starts) totaling 86 clearances and 36 interceptions. Uremovic will likely draw attention from elsewhere in Germany with Hertha set for the 2. Bundesliga.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ivan Sunjic - Set for departure Sunjic won't play again for Hertha Berlin after being expelled from the team due to disciplinary reasons.
Impact Sunjic held a major role in the midfield before the World Cup break. After the break he had a confrontation with manager Pal Dardai in training that lead to the midfielder being expelled from the team entirely. Sunjic will move on from Hertha during the Summer, with a possibility of returning to the Bundesliga elsewhere.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Kelian Nsona - Doesn't appear Nsona did not recover from a long-term knee injury during the 2022/23 Bundesliga season.
Impact Nsona suffered a knee injury before the season and never managed to recover and get on the pitch. After missing over 12 months with the injury Nsona will hope to get back on the pitch in the 2. Bundesliga.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Wilfried Kanga - Misses major playing time Kanga missed the finale of the 2022/23 season on the sideline due to a variety of injuries.
Impact Kanga ended the season on the sideline, missing the final four matches. The forward took a major step forward in playing time, making 23 appearance (15 starts) and scoring twice. The forward wasn't consistently effective and struggled to find major playing time as he failed to find consistent runs in the starting XI.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marton Dardai - Sets new high for appearances Dardai ended the 2022/23 season on the sideline after an undisclosed issue knocked him out against Wolfsburg.
Impact Dardai set a new high for appearances (17) and starts (11) while scoring his first career Bundesliga goal. The defender created four chances and also made some appearances in midfield, a role that gives him more freedom to roam forward. Dardai could draw interest from the Bundesliga with the relegation, though he may choose to remain playing for his father and Hertha's head coach, Pal Dardai.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Tolga Cigerci - Ends on sideline Cigerci ended the 2022/23 Bundesliga on the sideline with a calf injury.
Impact Cigerci returned to the Bundesliga for the first time in seven seasons and made 11 appearances (10 starts.) The midfielder joined from Fenerbache in the winter and was a nailed-on starter when fully fit. Cigerci could see a major role in the first team in the 2. Bundesliga.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Kevin-Prince Boateng - Struggles with injuries and form Boateng spent the majority of the 2022/23 season on the sideline due to injury and form.
Impact Boateng missed the Bundesliga finale with an undisclosed issue and was sidelined for a majority of the season. The midfielder made 16 appearances (five starts) failing to get on the scoresheet and creating just three chances. Boateng is unlikely to draw major interest from elsewhere in the Bundesliga.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ibrahim Maza - Goal as substitute Maza scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 win over Wolfsburg.
Impact It took the last matchday of the 2022-23 Bundesliga for Maza to log his second appearance and first goal as a pro footballer. The best-case scenario for him is he joins a first-division team willing to use him frequently. Chances are high Maza stays put though, which will be with 2. Bundesliga following Hertha BSC Berlin's relegation.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marco Richter - Sets scoring best Richter scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-1 win against Wolfsburg.
Impact Richter finished the 2022-23 Bundesliga with five assists and six goals, the latter being a career best across any of his league seasons. Hertha BSC Berlin may be relegated, but it is unlikely the midfielder will not transfer given how well he did this season.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Lucas Tousart - Records assist Tousart assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Wolfsburg.
Impact Hertha BSC Berlin's 2022-23 season concluded, and it proved to be Tousart's best yet in terms of offense. He logged five goals and two assists across his 33 games (all started). Before the 2022-23 Bundesliga, Tousart had never logged more than two goals or multiple assists across a season before. Though it is unclear whether Tousart's contribution rate will be sustainable, it does cause him to have much more expectations from his team after the summer.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marc Kempf - Starting season finale Kempf is fit and in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Wolfsburg.
Impact Kempf returns from a rib injury in time to start Saturday's season finale. The defender has helped Hertha keep two clean sheets in 30 appearances while making 130 clearances.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Stevan Jovetic - Hertha stint set to end Jovetic's contract with Hertha won't be extended following the conclusion of the Bundesliga, according to manager Pal Dardai.
Impact Jovetic's time in Hertha has been majorly marred by injury, though he has been effective when on the pitch. Across two seasons with the Berlin side Jovetic scored 10 Bundesliga goals in 35 appearances (21 starts.) Jovetic has shown talent when healthy but injuries could cause concerns for potential suitors of the striker.
MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Chidera Ejuke - Loan set to expire Ejuke won't return to Hertha following the conclusion of the Bundesliga, sporting director Benjamin Wober announced.
Impact Ejuke is set to return to CSKA following the conclusion of his loan with Hertha. The forward never truly broke into the starting XI, with just 20 appearances (nine starts) totaling three assists heading into the final matchday.
MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Kevin-Prince Boateng - Out Saturday Boateng (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's Bundesliga finale against Wolfsburg, Hertha announced Thursday.
Impact Boateng is set for the sideline to close out the 2022/23 season after ending up on the injury report once more. When fit the midfielder made an impact on the pitch but a variety of injuries sidelined him throughout the campaign. Boateng ends the season with 16 appearances (five starts) while failing to get on the scoresheet.
MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
