Hertha BSC today announced the signing of defnsive midfielder Niklas Stark from 1. FC Nürnberg.

Die Alte Dame are thought to have paid around €3 million for the Stark's services, who recently starred at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup during the summer in New Zealand. However Hertha are thought to be looking to recoup that fee by off-loading Ronny, and have been in talks with Al-Nasr about a possible move for the Brazilian. 

According to Bild, Hertha beat clubs such as FC Schalke 04, FC Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen to the signature of the highly-rated Stark. The former 1. FC Nürnberg man has signed a four-year contract at the Olympiastadion, committing his future in the capital until 2019 at the earliest. 

Experience at a young age

Despite being only 20 years old, Niklas Stark is no stranger to first team football having featured for der Club's first team for over two years; making 56 appearances and scoring three times in the process. Stark has played in every Nürnberg game so far this campaign, picking up a goal and an assist whilst playing in a vast array of positions. He's appeared at left back and attacking midfielder, with a stint in his preferred position of defensive midfield.

Last year the primarily defensive midfielder was awarded the prestigious gold medal in the Fritz Walter award at the under 19 category, ahead of the likes of Max Meyer and Joshua Kimmich.

Strength in depth for Dárdai

Star'ks ability to play in both the heart of defence, as well as his more orthodox defensive midfield berth, could prove to be a shrewd piece of business by die Alte Dame. In their opening two league games of the season, Per Ciljan Skjelbred has took to the field in the defensive midfield role in Pál Dárdai's prefered 4-1-4-1 formation. However the Norwegian is more suited to the centre of midfield and the acquisition of Stark could provide some excellent squad cover across a whole host of positions.

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Alex Howell
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