Jonathan Klinsmann played two seasons for Cal Berkeley. (Dave Bernal, ISI Photo)
The next save that goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann makes will be for Hertha Berlin.
Klinsmann, the son of former U.S. national coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Tuesday signed with the German first division club after a 10-day trial.
He was a member of the U.S. team that reached the quarterfinals of the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Korea. Klinsmann played two years at Cal Berkeley.
“Jonathan convinced us with his ability, charisma and ambition,” Hertha goalkeeper coach Zsoly Petry said on the Hertha Berlin website. “He’ll now settle with us and develop step by step. Klinsmann exudes calmness and confidence. He has a very good right foot and is also technically and athletically at a good level.”
In his sophomore year, recording 65 of his 84 career saves in his final season at the school. The Newport Beach, Calif., native posted two shutouts and averaged a .697 save percentage, recording a .739 collegiate best his final year.
“For Jonathan to sign with Hertha Berlin, a prestigious Bundesliga team, is a dream come true for him and his family. We couldn’t be happier for them,” Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. “This is a great day for Jonathan and Cal soccer.”
Klinsmann will battle keepers Rune Jarstein and Thomas Kraft for a starting spot on the sixth-place side.
“It’s a big club, a Europa League participant, essentially a club that you’d like to play for and whose level you’d like to reach,” Jonathan Klinsmann told Bundesliga.de. “To learn from Rune and Thomas and to play in the second team to get used to the level of play in the Bundesliga is a fantastic opportunity. It was a chance I had to take with both hands.”
