From Berlin's lower leagues to Germany's national team, Scherhant defies odds

Derry Scherhant’s first senior Germany camp ended with two starts and two encouraging performances, prompting the 23‑year‑old to reflect on how improbable his route to the national team once appeared. The highlight came in Sunday’s 0‑0 Nations League draw with Greece in Thessaloniki, where he repeatedly attacked from the left and created Jonathan Burkardt’s disallowed first‑half goal. Scherhant’s display cemented his reputation as one of Germany’s most dangerous players.

Early Berlin clubs and a delayed breakthrough

In 2017 Scherhant was on the fringes of Viktoria Berlin, struggling for minutes. A 2019 move to Tennis Borussia Berlin offered no immediate breakthrough, and he again found playing time scarce. Once he joined Berliner SC in the summer of 2020, the clock was indeed ticking, but the pandemic‑affected calendar kept his options open.

Hertha academy offers a turning point

Hertha BSC added Scherhant to its academy in October 2020, a chance that would not have existed without the extended transfer window, as he later explained. He spent half a season with the U19s before moving to the U23 side, where he recorded 16 goals and eight assists in 34 Regionalliga Nordost matches. Hertha rewarded him with his first professional contract in June 2022, followed by a Bundesliga debut and his first top‑flight goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

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Freiburg platform and national team call‑up

SC Freiburg secured Scherhant’s services for a reported €2 million, providing the next platform for his development. His senior Germany debut arrived in a 2‑0 win over Serbia, where he operated on both wings and displayed the qualities that convinced Jürgen Klopp to include him in his inaugural Germany squad. The subsequent camp saw him start twice, delivering the performances that earned widespread praise.

During the Nations League encounter in Thessaloniki, Scherhant’s relentless runs from the left created space and forced the Greek defence into errors, culminating in Burkardt’s disallowed goal. He continued to trouble opponents after the break, underscoring his growing influence at international level.

“Yeah, it’s totally crazy when I look back on it,” Scherhant said in the mixed zone after the Greece draw. “Back then in Berlin, the dream was just to go pro. That feels like a long time ago.”