A familiar face will be pulling on a Hertha shirt once again, with Tolga Ciğerci returning to the club and signing a contract until 2024. The 30-year-old previously played for the Blue-Whites between 2013 and 2016. “In Tolga, we are getting an experienced player who is strong in the tackle, brings a fantastic mentality and already knows the Bundesliga and also Hertha BSC. We are pleased that he will now be wearing the blue and white shirt again and will help us achieve our aim of staying in the Bundesliga,” said sporting director Benjamin Weber. The midfielder, who can play in both defensive and attacking midfield, is excited to be returning and is eager to get underway: “This club means so much to me. I’m absolutely delighted to be back. We’ll take on this challenge together,” said our new number 6.
Ciğerci made his Bundesliga debut for VfL Wolfsburg in 2010, later joining Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan during the winter break in 2011/12. He signed for Hertha in 2013 and featured in 41 league and cup matches for the club over the following three seasons (1 goal, 5 assists). The son of Turkish parents, the former Germany youth international was capped four times by Turkey’s senior side after switching his eligibility. He then enjoyed stints at Galatasaray (2016-18), Fenerbahçe (2018 – 2021) and Başakşehir (2021/22). While at Galatasaray, the midfielder won the Turkish Supercup and a Süper Lig title. Ciğerci spent the last six months captaining MKE Ankaragücü, and has featured in a total of 134 Süper Lig matches in his career.