Hertha Berlin has signed Swedish international striker Gustaf Nilsson on loan with an option to buy from FC Bruges. The 29-year-old trained with the team for the first time on Wednesday and is preparing for his potential debut on Sunday against 1. FC Magdeburg.
Nilsson completed extra sessions including sprints and finishing drills. Manager Stefan Leitl emphasized the importance of match practice for the new signing. "Gustaf needs to collect minutes and become match-fit," Leitl said. The Swede is expected to initially come off the bench as a super-sub. Hertha Berlin currently sits in second place in the 2. Bundesliga with the clear aim of direct promotion.
Gustaf Nilsson is a 1.97-meter tall target man with international experience. He won both the league title and the cup in Belgium with FC Bruges and played in the UEFA Champions League. Previously, he was at Union Saint-Gilloise, where he also won the cup. His career in Germany started at Wehen Wiesbaden in the 3. Liga, for whom he scored 21 goals in 50 matches.
The Swede moved to Belgium for a transfer fee of one million euros at that time. Bruges later paid 6.9 million euros for him. Last season, however, he only played 108 minutes and was not a regular starter. At Hertha Berlin, he is now set to play regularly. His stated goal is clear. "The overarching goal in my opinion is for the club to return to the Bundesliga at some point," Nilsson said.
Gustaf Nilsson brings a distinctive touch with a tattoo on his right calf. It depicts "Mr. Nilsson", the monkey from the Pippi Longstocking films. The player confirmed this on Hertha Berlin's official homepage. The tattoo is a humorous reference to his surname and his Swedish heritage.
For the fans, it's an amusing anecdote alongside the striker's sporting qualities. Nilsson wants to help the team and score as many goals as possible. His experience from top European competitions could benefit Hertha's young squad in the promotion battle. The current league standings can be followed on our standings page.
The first potential appearance for Gustaf Nilsson at Hertha Berlin is the match on Sunday, September 6, 2026, against 1. FC Magdeburg. Kick-off is at 1:30 PM. The game is an important test for Berlin in the race for promotion.
All upcoming fixtures for the club can be found on our fixtures page. Nilsson is expected to start from the bench and be substituted on depending on the flow of the game. Manager Leitl aims to gradually build his match fitness. The Swede has already signaled his readiness to fight for the club. His contract at Hertha Berlin includes an option to buy, the exact fee of which has not been disclosed.
The complete squad overview with all players is available on the squad page. Hertha Berlin hopes Nilsson can fill a gap with his goalscoring ability and physical presence. His first training session was promising, and his integration into the team is progressing. The match against Magdeburg offers the first opportunity for a brief cameo.
