Hertha Berlin has signed goalkeeper Thomas Kraft on a free transfer from Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich.
Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz said Monday many clubs were interested in signing Kraft ''because he is a goalkeeper with great ability and potential.''
Kraft, whose contract at Bayern expires at the end of the season, was given a four-year deal.
The 23-year-old Kraft displaced Joerg Butt as Bayern's No. 1 midway through this season under Louis van Gaal, but the veteran was reinstated once the Dutch coach was fired. Bayern also hopes to sign Germany No. 1 Manuel Neuer from Schalke.
''Hertha is a great challenge for me,'' Kraft told the club's website. ''I'm very happy to go down the Bundesliga road with Hertha Berlin.''
He said he paid attention to ''the enthusiasm, the euphoria coming from Hertha Berlin,'' and that ''both were reasons to sign here for four years.''
Hertha has secured promotion to the Bundesliga after a one-season absence.
