Hertha BSC begins the new 2. Bundesliga season without a single new signing – a rare case in German professional football. In less than four weeks, on August 7, the Berlin budget club faces VfL Bochum at home, a side that has already added eight players.

Why has Hertha BSC no new signings?

Coach Stefan Leit (48) had to promote eight youth players after eleven departures because the budget does not allow transfers. Top scorer Fabian Reese (28) was sold to VfL Wolfsburg for eight million euros, while 16‑year‑old talent Kennet Eichhorn moved to Bayer Leverkusen for just under nine million. Midfielder Michael Cuisance (26) also left for Lens for five million. The income apparently falls short of financing new contracts.

Which gaps remain in the squad?

On the left‑back spot there is no professional contract player – Gustav Christensen (21) had to step in during a test match against SV Lichtenberg (9‑0). Right‑footed Mayson Grothe (17) later took over, but he has only three U‑19 appearances for Hertha. In attack, after the loaned striker Dawid Kownacki (29) left and Luca Schuler (27) suffered an adductor injury, almost no options remain; only Sebastian Grönning (29) and 18‑year‑old Niklas Hildebrandt are available.

How does the management respond?

Leit told BILD that “something will come soon” and hopes a deal will be sealed during the training camp in Kitzbühel (departure July 17). He stressed that the vacuum on several positions must be closed before the season truly begins.

Current standing in the competition

Hertha BSC currently sits 7th in the 2. Bundesliga with 51 points, record 14 wins, 9 draws, 11 losses from 34 games, and the last five results read LWLLD. The team has 47 goals scored and 44 conceded (+3 goal difference) and is 19 points behind leaders FC Schalke 04. The most recent result was a 6‑1 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld on May 17 2026. These figures show that the lack of reinforcements seriously endangers the promotion ambition.