Reese: "Sometimes you should be grateful for what you have"
Fabian Reese's contract extension until 2030 is a signal of attack. The striker appreciates "the overall Berlin package" – and isn't finished with Hertha BSC yet.
"Appreciation, encouragement, love, gratitude—I find all of that here": Hertha striker Fabian Reese is staying in Berlin. IMAGO/mix1
Fabian Reese couldn't and didn't want to name the one, all-important reason—because it didn't exist. It was the sum of everything that prompted him to extend his contract with Hertha BSC until 2030. "My girlfriend and I have felt incredibly comfortable in this city for the past two years," said the striker after the final whistle of the season's final match against Hannover 96 (1:1) .
"The love we've received since day one—on the streets, from the fans, at the club, in the team, in shops, in restaurants—I think it's unique. If it were purely about money, you'd have to go elsewhere relatively quickly. Money isn't always the currency in football, because we get so much anyway. Soft factors—appreciation, encouragement, love, gratitude: I find all of that here."
Hertha's intensive courting impressed him – and won him over. " Benny Weber (Hertha's sporting director, ed.) fought hard for me for months ," Reese emphasized. "He gave everything to ensure I stayed. He outlined the future for me, gathered arguments for Micka Cuisance's contract extension . And we have a coach with whom I get along very well. One thing led to another."
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Ultimately, after eight or nine weeks of intensive discussions, the decision was made in favor of Hertha. "One or two alternatives had presented themselves," said Reese. He had "spoken to some" and was "very honored that I could have gone to many countries and leagues to play for top teams," but "the overall Berlin package" stuck with him, at least not now: "It's a vibrant and very, very exciting city that fits my lifestyle very well. And it's an incredibly big club that belongs in the Bundesliga."
Reese's contract extension clearly demonstrates that Hertha wants to return to that level and, after two years of second-division mediocrity, is aiming for promotion next season. "I'm absolutely delighted that Fabi is staying," said coach Stefan Leitl after the draw against his former club.
"It's a strong signal that Fabi wants to stay here—also a sign of what we still want to achieve. The fact that he, as a difference-maker, has decided to stay with us is also a sign for the players we are in talks with. Accordingly, I am very happy and very glad because it gives us even more opportunities."
Hertha wants to attack in 2025/26 – with the man who scored goal number eleven of the second half of the season on Sunday as their leader and isn't done yet in the capital. "We left a lot to be desired this season and haven't had a good season," said Reese, who missed almost the entire first half of the season due to a serious ankle and syndesmosis injury.
"But considering how few points we were missing, it's not unrealistic that we could have been up there with three or four more wins. Therefore, I'm convinced that I'll work exceptionally well from the beginning of preseason to achieve something special. I'm convinced of that, otherwise I wouldn't have extended my contract here."
The relatively early date at which he made his commitment by signing the contract was also important to him. "A stalemate isn't the best thing for anyone," explained the 27-year-old. "I didn't want to go into the summer thinking about it. Sometimes you should be grateful for what you have and where you are.
I realized how grateful I am and how hungry I am for more. There's still significantly more potential here at the club." He wants to maximize it together with his teammates: "I'm very confident that we'll set much clearer goals next season."
