Valentino Lazaro joins Hertha on loan

Berlin - Hertha BSC have signed Valentino Lazaro on a loan basis. The 21 year-old joins from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg with an option for Hertha to make the loan permanent at a later date. “We’re glad that we’ve managed to get our hands on Valentino. He brings further quality and flexibility to our attack. It’s no secret that we’ve had him on our radar for some time which makes us even happier that we’ve found an agreeable solution with RB Salzburg”, said Michael Preetz. The new signing is equally happy. “I’m overjoyed that this transfer has gone through. Hertha have been interested in me for some time. All the conversations I had with Michael Preetz and Pál Dárdai made me feel that Hertha is a club that I want to be a part of”, said Lazaro on his decision. Unfortunately, the new signing will be being eased into the squad in the coming weeks due to a strain in his lateral collateral ligament. “The timing of the injury is frustrating. For now, I’m just going to have to be patient but, as soon as I’m fit, I’m ready to give 100 percent. I am excited to get to know the team and the fans”, said the 21 year-old.

First-team debut at 16

The midfielder, who can play in the middle or on the flanks, started his footballing career at Grazer AK. In January 2011, Lazaro moved as a youngster to one of the big clubs in Austria, Red Bull Salzburg, where he flew through the ranks and became part of the first team squad in the 2012-13 season. Lazaro made his first team debut for Salzburg in December 2012 having only just turned 16. Following his debut, the talented youngster, who can also fill in at fullback, became an ever more important part of his team. In total, Lazaro featured 87 times in the highest tier of Austrian football with 11 goals and 13 assists to his name. Whilst at Salzburg, he won the Austrian league title five times and the Austrian Cup on four occasions.

The new Hertha signing has also already featured in European competitions. In the last three seasons, Lazaro has appeared in a total of nine Champions League qualification games in which he scored two goals. In 2014, Lazaro made the Austria national team who he has now made eight appearances for.