After Hertha departure, Toni Leistner starts at Viktoria Potsdam

Maja Hitij/GettyImages reports: After almost 400 professional appearances in Germany, England and Belgium, the 36‑year‑old centre‑back Toni Leistner will end his career at Hertha BSC this summer and join the first team of Viktoria Potsdam, a club from the sixth‑tier Brandenburg League, hoping to continue enjoying football there.

Viktoria Potsdam currently occupies the top spot in the Brandenburg League, the sixth tier of the German football system. The club offers Leistner the chance to keep playing in a lower league.

Ambitious Club with Local Sponsors

Leistner describes the club as very ambitious. Since its founding in 2018, the club has been promoted every year and can look forward to numerous local sponsors. He himself lives in the north of Potsdam.

Another former Hertha player, Diego Demme, could join Viktoria soon. Leistner explained that he has already spoken with Demme about amateur football and wants to lace up their boots together once more.

Demme also left Hertha in the summer and is still facing a decision, as he also has an offer from the small‑field league Icon League. He says he needs a bit more time to consider it.

Leistner's Debut in the Brandenburg Cup

Next Saturday, Leistner will feature in the Brandenburg Cup against VfB 1921 Krieschow and will play for the first time in the club's sky‑blue kit. The veteran emphasizes that he will not appear every week, because family comes first.

Nevertheless, he dreams of a special match: “I would like a friendly in the summer against Hertha,” he said in an interview.

After his departure, Hertha BSC currently sits at the top of the 2. Liga, with the club still fighting for promotion.