Berlin (AFP) – Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann, will make his professional debut in goal for Hertha Berlin in their Europa League match against Ostersund, coach Pal Dardai said.
“Our goalkeeping coach Zsolt Petry convinced me we could play him,” Dardai said, quoted by German daily Bild on Thursday.
“(Reserve goalkeeper) Thomas Kraft is in bed with the flu, and we don’t want to risk an injury for (first choice) Rune Jarstein.”
Hertha are already eliminated from the competition going into their final match in Group J, with Swedish club Ostersund battling for top spot alongside Athletic Bilbao.
The 20-year-old Klinsmann, whose father won the 1990 World Cup and coached Germany at the 2006 tournament, joined Hertha in July but has so far only played for the reserve team in the third division.
“Jonathan deserves to have his chance. He must also prove that he can handle his famous name,” added Dardai.
The younger Klinsmann was born in California and played for the United States at this year’s Under-20 World Cup in South Korea.
