Bayer Leverkusen have signed another German top talent in 16-year-old midfielder Kennet Eichhorn who was also sought by top clubs including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen said late Wednesday that Eichhorn has penned "a long-term contract" in a move from second division Hertha Berlin.
Eichhorn joined Hertha in 2017 and rose into the first team last season, becoming the youngest second division player at age 16 and 42 days in August and the youngest scorer last month. He featured in 19 games for Hertha, scoring twice.
The German under-17 international had a Hertha contract until 2029 but could leave via a release clause. The fee is estimated at up to €9 million ($10.4 million).
"With Kennet, we now have one of the best German talents in our ranks," Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said.
Eichhorn follows youngster Ibrahim Maza who left Hertha last year for Leverkusen and has become a key player there. Leverkusen have also signed Konstaninos Kotsifakis, whom Eichhorn knows from the Hertha academy, as U19 coach.
"After really very good talks, I decided on what I consider to be the best solution: Leverkusen is a club that has quickly developed many players, even very young ones, into top professionals," Eichhorn said.
"I will do everything I can to follow a similar path here. I'm really looking forward to taking my next steps at such an exciting, top European club like Bayer 04."
Liverpool, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig were reportedly also interested in Eichhorn.
