Bundesliga bags a Klinsmann

BERLIN - The Klinsmann name made a return to Germany's top flight on Tuesday as Hertha Berlin signed the son of former United States coach and Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann.

Jonathan Klinsmann, 20, goalkeeper for the US Under-20s team, has been given a contract after two weeks on trial with the Bundesliga club.

Hertha plans to make Klinsmann junior its third-choice goalkeeper, behind Norway's Rune Jarstein and ex-Bayern Munich stopper Thomas Kraft, and he will gain experience for the Under-23 team in the regional league.

"After breakfast, Michael Preetz (Hertha's sports director) had a chat and said they had decided at short notice to offer me a contract," Klinsmann said at Hertha's pre-season camp near Berlin.

"It was an unbelievably emotional moment for me, because the club has such a family history. I'm looking forward to everything at the club, the city of Berlin and the challenge of playing in Germany."

His father, who enjoyed a glittering career with Bayern Munich, Monaco, Tottenham and Inter Milan, has been a Hertha member since 2004, while his grandfather was born close to Berlin and was also a fan of the club, which plays its home games at the city's Olympic Stadium.

However, Jonathan will be the first member of his family to see action in a Hertha uniform.

"Jonathan convinced us with his ability, charisma and ambition. He'll now settle with us and develop step by step," said Preetz.

Klinsmann was voted best goalkeeper at the Under-20 CONCACAF championship in Costa Rica in March when the Team USA won the regional title by beating Honduras 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Agence France-Presse