Hertha land 'Tunisian Maradona'

Hertha BSC Berlin have signed Tunisian international Amine Chermiti, agreeing terms that will keep the forward in the German capital until 2012.

'Difficult negotiations'
The 20-year-old – touted as the Tunisian Diego Maradona – was initially to join the UEFA Cup contenders on a two-year loan from Etoile Sportive du Sahel with the option of a further two-year contract. But Hertha moved quickly to make the move permanent following the payment of an undisclosed fee. "We are first and foremost pleased that some difficult negotiations over several months have come to a successful end," said Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness. "As a footballer, it has always been clear that he fits our requirements and is the right player for us."

UEFA Cup progress
Chermiti has scored one goal in 12 appearances for Tunisia, and also struck six times in 26 league games for Etoile Sportive last season. "I know the coach and many of the players," he said of Hertha. "I will work hard and want to achieve a good finish with Hertha in the Bundesliga." Having entered the UEFA Cup through the UEFA Fair Play competition, Hertha beat FC Nistru Otaci 8-1 on aggregate to earn a second qualifying round tie against NK IB Ljubljana, which kicks off in Slovenia next Thursday.