Hertha Berlin's Dejagah arrives finally in Bundesliga

IRNA - Hertha Berlin's Iranian striker Ashkan Dejagah has finally arrived in the German Bundesliga only two years after signing his first professional contract, the renowned bi-weekly Kicker Sports magazine wrote Monday.

"He has made a huge step over the past two months," the magazine quoted Hertha's Turkish star playmaker Yildiray Basturk as saying about the 20-year-old Dejagah.

Basturk's Dutch team-mate Dick van Burik echoed the sentiment by adding, "He is working harder than last year. He will have a great future, if he remains down to earth and continues the way he does." Hertha coach Faklo Goetz also hailed Dejagah's progress this season, after demoting him last year to Berlin's amateur squad.

"He has understand at the second go, what is at issue," said Goetz.

He added that although Dejagah has a lot of talent, he had often played very selfishly last season.

Dejagah was selected last week into the Bundesliga all-star team following his superb play in his squad's 2-1 home victory against Alemannia Aachen on Saturday.

The German sports press has praised Dejagah's performance over the past weeks.

Meanwhile Hertha Berlin manager Dieter Hoeness confirmed that talks are underway with Dejagah's manager Joerg Neubauer to extend the player's contract beyond 2007.

The German Under-20 national team forward is regarded as one of the country's great football hopes by experts.

According to former German national team assistant coach Michael Skibbe, Dejagah has 'excellent prospects' to join the A-team in the near future.