Khedira grateful to Hertha Berlin after sealing Bundesliga return

Sami Khedira hopes to repay Hertha Berlin for bringing him back to the Bundesliga by helping the club enjoy success on the pitch. 

The German midfielder has returned to his homeland to try and kick-start his career having been frozen out at Juventus this season. 

Khedira won five Serie A titles during his time with Juve but featured sparingly across the previous two campaigns as he was hampered by injury issues.

However, the 33-year-old – who was part of the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup – insists he is fit and ready to get back playing again with Hertha, who have struggled so far this term. 

“Hertha made great efforts to sign me and offered me the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga,” Khedira said. 

“I’m grateful for that and I honestly cannot wait for the moment when I’ll be wearing the blue and white shirt on the pitch for the first time. 

“I feel great physically would like to use the experience I have gained in recent years to help the team and lead Hertha to more sporting success.”

1 – @SamiKhedira made his Bundesliga debut for @VfB on October 1st, 2006 away against @HerthaBSC_EN. At the time, the Berliners had none other than Pál Dárdai on the field, who will now be his manager. Coincidence. pic.twitter.com/5BDtIthskf

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 1, 2021

Khedira won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2006-07 and also had domestic and European success during his time with Real Madrid, including lifting the Champions League trophy in 2014. 

Now, though, he has joined a Hertha side that sit just above the relegation places. They recently made a coaching change, bringing back former boss Pal Dardai to try and improve their fortunes. 

“Sami Khedira is a successful leader on the pitch and a name that is recognised around the world. I am delighted that we have been able to bring him to Hertha BSC,” said Hertha CEO Carsten Schmidt. 

“I am convinced that with his personality on and off the pitch, he will give our young team the stability it needs to be successful.”

As well as Khedira, Hertha also confirmed the arrival of winger Nemanja Radonjic from Marseille on deadline day, initially on loan for the rest of the season but with an option to buy.