Many would have you believe that the departure of strikers Adrian Ramos to Dortmund and Pierre-Michel Lasogga making his loan move to Hamburg a permanent one, would leave Hertha fans scratching their heads about what to expect for the upcoming season. However, Jos Luhukay has sent his scouts across the country, central Europe and even to Japan to fill the void, not just left by Ramos and Lasogga, but also to improve in other areas of his squad. Hertha have spent wisely and within their financial capabilities as they look to improve on their 11th placed position last season. Their campaign fell away as the season came to its conclusion, and with 8 new players (and potentially more to come), Luhukay is hoping his new arrivals will provide consistency and not feel the effects of second-season syndrome.
Valentin Stocker
Undoubtedly the most impressive addition. The midfielder arrives from Basel for just €5m and could well prove to be one of the best transfers of the summer, not just in the Bundesliga, but in Europe as a whole. The 25-year old brings with him experience of playing in both the Champions League and Europa League, as well as being part of the 23-man Switzerland World Cup squad which reached the last-16 in Brazil. Winning 6 Swiss titles and 3 Swiss Cups, Stocker has a nous for success.
Julian Schieber
Schieber made the Dortmund bench his own at his time at the Signal-Iduna Park. He's hoping that that isn't the case at the Olympiastadion. You have to feel sorry for the 25-year old, who had his chances limited in Dortmund because of the outstanding Robert Lewandowski. With Immobile, Ramos and Ji becoming Schwarzgelben, Schieber knew he needed to explore pastures new, and should get more opportunities in the capital.
Roy Beerens
Another striker added to the Hertha ranks, Beerens arrives following a three-year spell at AZ Alkmaar, where he scored 13 goals in 93 appearances. That isn't the greatest strike rate in the world, but being called up to the Dutch national squad twice suggests Beerens does have assets. Alongside fellow new boy Schieber, Beerens is hoping that he too can get regular starts under Luhukay.
Genki Haraguchi
Luhukay's only signing so far which has come from outside Europe. Whether as a winger or as a forward, Haraguchi's versatility will come in handy when there are injuries and/or suspensions in the attacking department. At just 23-years old, Haraguchi still has lots to learn, yet he should do so in the Bundesliga, and with fellow countryman Hajime Hosogai at the club, he should feel right at home in Berlin.
Johnny Heitinga
Most remembered for his sending-off in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, Heitinga is known for his tenaciousness and he isn't afraid to get stuck into a challenge. He wasn't picked for the 2014 World Cup squad, but having won 87 caps for his country, as well as winning trophies at Ajax and playing for Atletico Madrid, Everton and Fulham, Heitinga provides bags of experience for the Hertha defence.
Jens Hegeler
Hegeler has signed a three-year contract at Hertha, with him looking for more regular starts at his new club. He leaves Leverkusen with his highlight of last season scoring a stunning injury-time, costless-kick winner - Real Sociedad in the Champions League. During his time at B04, he had loan spells at Augsburg and Nuremberg, but Hegeler should be a first-team favourite in Berlin.
Marvin Plattenhardt
The 22-year old left relegated Nuremberg, but Hertha's trust in Plattenhardt shows his youth and talent will be vital for Hertha's chances this season. Part of the Euro U17 Germany squad which won on home soil in 2009, a squad containing World Cup winners Mario Gotze and Skhodran Mustafi, as well as new Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Plattenhardt could well nail down the left-back spot.
Tolga Cigerci
Cigerci spent last season on loan at Hertha from Wolfsburg, and this summer, the young midfielder made that loan move into a permanent one. He was a regular starter during the first half of last season, and he will be hoping for more during the 2014/15 campaign. With Turkish roots, Cigerci has played for Germany's U19 and U20 sides, and like Plattenhardt, his youthfulness will be key in Hertha's short and long-term.
There could still be more additions to Luhukay's ever-growing squad. Another striker could be an option, but the players added to the capital club will only improve them. Hertha have been known as Germany's yo-yo club in recent times, regularly being relegated from the Bundesliga, only to bounce straight back to the top-flight the following year. However, with these multiple and impressive signings this summer, Hertha are on the road of shaking off that tag and stabilising themselves as Bundesliga regulars.