Vladimir Darida has joined Hertha BSC, the club have confirmed.
The midfielder puts pen to paper on a four-year deal in Germany's capital, signing from SC Freiburg for an undisclosed fee - one which Bild have reported as a sum of €3.5 million, with performance-based add ons.
Darida was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga with Freiburg at the end of the season gone, the club finishing second from bottom in the Bundesliga, but Hertha have granted him the opportunity to return to the top flight almost immediately, and he has taken it.
Darida speaks about his move
Speaking to the club's official website, Darida cited several influences in his move to Hertha, but said that, mainly, he "wanted to take the next step in [his] career, by going to a larger team." He also admitted that the team's "impressive history," "great stadium" and "great fans" played a part in his decision.
When asked about what role he will play on the pitch, the Czech Republic international, who boasts 25 caps for his country, described himself as a player who "prefer[s] to play in central midfield, mostly as the six" - which is the number he will wear for his new side. The 24-year-old believes he will add a lot to Hertha "technically" here, as he "[tries] to always be one step ahead of [his] opponent" and finds that "[anticipating]" play "usually works quite well" for him.
Darida is hoping to improve his "scoring" at the club too, saying that, whilst "six goals last season may not sound bad," "a lot" of them were from "[penalties]."
As for what he is most looking forward to with his new club, the midfielder simply said "everything." He described Berlin as "an exciting city" and Hertha as a team that "has many great fans," so he is "curious" about the move and eager to "explore and discover" plenty in the new environment.
Darida concluded his interview by citing his "main goal" with the club this seasonas "play[ing]" as much as possible and "of course, to be successful with the team."
Michael Preetz, sporting director at Hertha, has also spoke to the club's website above Darida's arrival and believes that they have acquired an "outstanding" player. Preetz described the 24-year-old as "a young, yet experienced, variable player" who will be "important" to the team and provide them with "impetus."
Career so far
Darida began his career with Viktoria Plzen in his homeland, joining them when he was just five-years-old. He made his debut for the first team when he was 20-years-old and - in between a loan spell with hometown club Sokolov, where he made 13 appearances and scored five goals in 2011 - the midfielder would appear 89 times for Plzen in all competitions, winning the league, cup and Super Cup with them in his three years, as well as scoring 20 goals.
He joined Freiburg in 2013, making 23 appearances in his first season for the club and scoring three goals as he helped to steer them away from the threat of relegation. However, he was unable to help the team avoid that fate again in the 2014-15 campaign, despite doubling his goal return in his 31 games.
Darida is Hertha's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Mitchell Weiser from Bayern Munich.