Hertha extend U19 international Maier’s contract

Bundesliga side Hertha BSC have extended Germany U19s international Arne Maier’s contract. The 19 year old, who has developed into an important player for Pal Dardai this season, has played for the capital club since 2007. His old contract would have run out next summer.

Amongst other tournaments for the DFB Teams, Maier played in the 2016 U17s European Championships in Azerbaijan, when the Germany lost out to Spain in the semi-finals. From March 21st to the 27th, he and his DFB teammates have the chance to qualify for the U19s Euros in Finland.

“The talks went very well, so in the end it was an easy decision to extend,” said Maier. “In my time as a youth team player, it was always my goal to play for the first time at the Olympiastadion. The fact I’ve achieved that, has contributed to my contract extension. When you play for a club for eleven years, it grows a special place in your heart and becomes like a family or a second home.”

The midfielder passed through various youth teams at Hertha and in the U15s, he coincidently played under the current first team head coach Pal Dardai. In the second half of the 2016/17 season, Dardai promoted Maier to the senior team and he eventually made his Bundesliga debut in May 2017 in an away victory over SV Darmstadt 98.

“Arne is, until now, certainly one of the revelations of the season. He has successfully made the step up to the senior team and has shown his great potential,” noted Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz. “It’s in our philosophy to look to our academy and promote it. Arne is one of the faces of our academy.”