BERKELEY – The Golden Bears' already-double digit list of professional soccer players just got extended by one with goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann penning a professional contract with Hertha, Berliner Sport-Club in Berlin, Germany, the ball club announced today.
 
Klinsmann's signing marks the 16th active player for California, a stat which 18-year head coach Kevin Grimes is proud and a number that is one of the highest in the country amongst NCAA Division I schools.  
 
"It's a tribute to the great student-athletes we've had at Cal over the years and the outstanding coaching staff that has developed these players to reach the pinnacle level," Grimes said. "Henry Foulk did an amazing job of taking Jonathan's skills to another level, which contributed greatly to this opportunity."
 
Klinsmann started as goalkeeper for the Bears in 2016, his sophomore year, recording 65 of his 84 career saves in his second and final season with Cal. In his two years sporting the Blue and Gold, the Newport Beach, Calif., native posted a pair of shutouts and averaged a .697 save percentage, recording a .739 collegiate best his final year.
 
After the 2016 collegiate season, Klinsmann was named to the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team and things continue to improve from there. He earned the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper after leading the national team to its first-ever CONCACAF championship in San Jose, Costa Rica and again represented the U.S. in goal at the Youth World Cup in the Korea Republic.
 
A return to Berlin, is a return home for Klinsmann, whose father Jurgen Klinsmann, the former U.S. men's national team head coach, is a native of Germany. Like his father, the younger Klinsmann will play in the competitive 18-team Bundesliga league.
 
"For Jonathan to sign with Hertha Berlin, a prestigious Bundesliga team, is a dream come true for him and his family. We couldn't be happier for them," Grimes said. "This is a great day for Jonathan and for Cal soccer."
 
Klinsmann is the second Cal player to sign with a Bundesliga club. Cal's Peter Woodring, a 1990 graduate, signed with Hamburger SV in 1992.
 
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