Hertha extend Brekalo’s contract as Dudziak joins Beijing Guoan

Hertha BSC announced an early contract extension for former Croatian international Josip Brekalo. The former Stuttgart and Wolfsburg midfielder joined the 2. Bundesliga club at the beginning of 2026 from Real Oviedo.

This is the second contract extension after his successful stint in the second half of the season with the capital city club. Hertha confirmed today that his contract is revised to 2028, as he signed one more year from his previous contract at the end of May.

Brekalo is a 35-time Croatian international, with his last appearance coming in 2023 when he was playing at Fiorentina. The 28-year-old scored 17 goals in 122 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.

He scored three goals and assisted twice in only 11 2. Bundesliga games in his first few months as a Hertha player. He was also sent off twice, which reduced the number of games he could’ve played for the promotion hopefuls.

Meanwhile, former Hertha midfielder Jeremy Dudziak joined Chinese side Beijing Guoan earlier today. Apart from a six-month loan spell at Turkish side Hatayspor in 2023, the 30-year-old spent his entire career in Germany before his latest move.

The former Borussia Dortmund youth player has played over 200 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga games for several clubs. He played ten times during the 2025/26 season for Hertha BSC. Beijing Guoan signed Portuguese defender Gui Ramos from Hamburg at the start of the year.

The Super Cup winners are currently in seventh place as they were one of nine clubs to start the season with deducted points for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship.