Hertha Berlin loses Michael Cuisance to RC Lens
Hertha Berlin has confirmed that 26‑year‑old midfielder Michael Cuisance is moving to French Ligue 1 side RC Lens. The transfer fee is around five million euros, a sum the Berlin club urgently needs.
Cuisance arrived from FC Venezia in 2024 and extended his contract until 2029 that summer. He featured in 69 competitive matches, scoring eleven goals and providing thirteen assists. Despite those numbers, he did not see his future in Dino Toppmöller’s project - the coach, also a former Bayern Munich colleague, has a different vision. The French international prefers to join a club fighting for Champions‑League spots.
The departure marks the third high‑profile exit this summer: Fabian Reese moved to VfL Wolfsburg and academy prospect Kennet Eichhorn signed for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Hertha now needs to generate a double‑digit‑million euro income to stabilise its finances and fund a push back to the Bundesliga. Without Cuisance, the team loses a creative engine in midfield, putting extra pressure on the coaching staff.
At Lens, Cuisance will be coached by Dino Toppmöller, who replaced Pierre Sage earlier this year. The two already know each other from their Bayern Munich days. Lens, recent French Cup winners and regular Champions‑League participants, offers the midfielder a platform to shows his talent on Europe’s biggest stage.
Hertha must now either bring in a suitable replacement from the market or promote youngsters from its academy. The five‑million‑euro fee could be reinvested in new signings, but time is short as the season is already underway. Fans are hoping the board acts swiftly to strengthen the squad and avoid a drop from the 2. Bundesliga.
