The Rise of Kenny Eichhorn: A Future Football Star

Kenny Eichhorn was born on July 27, 2009, in Bernau, a historic German town located just 10 kilometers northeast of Berlin. From an early age, he developed a passion for football, which flourished soon after he learned to walk. At the age of six, he began his journey in the sport by joining the local club, SV Muhlenbeck 1947, under the guidance of his father, Christian, and youth coach Mike Vielitz.

Eichhorn quickly distinguished himself from his peers due to his skill and work ethic. Vielitz noted, “It was immediately noticeable that Kenny decided games. He was incredibly ambitious and even asked on his own if we could train three times a week instead of two.”

Vielitz further emphasized Eichhorn’s natural leadership, stating, “Where other children of that age only looked out for themselves, he was a team player. He always had a motivating influence on his teammates. Everyone knew that he would go far if he didn’t get seriously injured or fall in with the wrong crowd.”

After two years with Muhlenbeck, Eichhorn caught the attention of Hertha Berlin, who recruited him into their U9 squad in 2017. Eichhorn expressed his affection for the club, declaring in a recent interview, “Hertha is like family to me. I grew up with the club. The first time I was in the Olympic Stadium, it immediately ignited a dream in me that I wanted to become a professional here and absolutely wanted to play down there on the pitch.”

Eichhorn’s rise through the football ranks was swift, culminating in January 2024 when he played a pivotal role in Hertha’s U15 team, leading them to victory in the Pape Cup and earning the Player of the Tournament award after a commanding 6-0 win against FC Magdeburg. He subsequently helped the team secure the C-Juniors Regional League Northeast title just four months later, garnering further accolades for his performances.

His significant breakthrough came during the summer when first-team coach Leitl invited him to join the pre-season training, responding to a shortage of midfield options due to injuries to key players. Although Eichhorn was too young to participate in friendly matches, Leitl recognized his talent, stating, “He’s really progressing well, both physically and in terms of his understanding of the game. He’s very eager to learn; we’ve already had many conversations with him.”

Eichhorn quickly made an impression on his teammates, with veteran center-back Toni Leistner remarking, “What the lad can do is astonishing. Clear-headed, not at all arrogant. I’m sure Hertha will get a lot of enjoyment out of him.”

In light of interest from Eintracht Frankfurt, Hertha accelerated the process of securing Eichhorn’s first professional contract, which he signed on July 4, committing to the club until 2029. “It’s absolutely crucial for me that my development in all areas never stops, that’s why I see Hertha as the best place for me,” Eichhorn stated after signing.

Eichhorn’s talents were further recognized when he was included in the squad for Hertha’s first league match of the 2025-26 season against Schalke, making his debut at just 16 years and 14 days old, thus setting the record as the youngest debutant in 2. Bundesliga history. Following his debut, he contributed to a goalless draw against Karlsruher, showcasing his skills on the field.

Later that month, he played as a starter against Hannover, setting another record as the youngest-ever starter in the league, and delivered a remarkable performance, completing 86 percent of his passes and winning six of his eleven ground duels. Hertha secured a 3-0 victory, and Leitl praised Eichhorn, stating, “Sixteen years old, playing in front of 50,000 fans against a top side – for me, he was by far the best player on the pitch.”

Since that debut, Eichhorn has become a regular in the starting lineup, contributing significantly to Hertha’s performances, including a standout role in their 6-1 victory over Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal, where he scored the third goal, becoming the youngest scorer in the club’s history and breaking Jude Bellingham’s record for the youngest scorer in the DFB-Pokal since World War II.

Eichhorn has also taken on a leadership role at the international level, captaining Germany’s U17 team in all four of his appearances, and scoring twice in a convincing 4-0 win against Luxembourg during European Championship qualifiers.

As a natural No.6, Eichhorn excels in controlling the tempo of play, displaying remarkable vision and passing accuracy. His first touch is impeccable, and he demonstrates an advanced understanding of the game. While his offensive contributions have garnered attention, his defensive skills require further refinement, particularly his timing in one-on-one situations.

Colleagues, including Fabian Reese, have recognized Eichhorn’s extraordinary talent, noting, “He is an incredible, exceptional talent. If he continues like this, all doors will be open to him. I have rarely seen anyone so talented at that age.”

Eichhorn’s rapid development has attracted interest from top clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund, with a reported €12 million release clause in his contract becoming active next summer. However, Eichhorn remains focused on his development, with Felix Kroos advising him to continue honing his skills in a familiar environment.

As Eichhorn continues to impress on the pitch, there is optimism that he will eventually make a significant move when he is fully prepared. With the right guidance and careful management, the football world may soon witness the emergence of a new generational talent.