Hertha BSC Lose Out As Player Leaves Gent For Free Amid Marseille Links

Jordan Torunarigha is set to leave KAA Gent this summer on a free transfer—costing former club Hertha BSC both a performance bonus and a resale percentage.

The 27-year-old defender, who previously came through the ranks in Berlin, informed Gent of his decision earlier this year and rejected a new deal running to 2027.

According to BILD, Hertha were due a €500,000 bonus upon Torunarigha’s next appearance, as well as 15% of any future transfer fee. But with the Nigerian international dropped from the squad ahead of the final matchday and now confirmed to be leaving for nothing, both clauses have become worthless.

The decision to sideline Torunarigha for the final fixtures—starting with the 4–1 home defeat to Genk—was a calculated one by Gent. By doing so, the Belgian club avoided triggering the appearance-based clause and effectively locked Hertha out of a financial return.

Top 5 League Move Now The Goal

Torunarigha departs Belgium after three successful seasons and 130 appearances for Gent, following an initial loan spell. His next move is expected to be to one of Europe’s top five leagues. Clubs including Olympique Marseille, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Anderlecht are all said to be tracking the 1.91m centre-back.

The player, who featured for Hertha between 2006 and 2016, is believed to favour a return to a higher-profile competition. With no transfer fee involved, Torunarigha now has time to assess his next move carefully. Marseille in particular have been linked with strengthening their back line, while Gladbach are exploring defensive reinforcements after a disappointing campaign.

For Hertha, this ends any hopes of a belated financial boost from the 2022 deal that saw Torunarigha leave the Olympiastadion for €3 million. Despite what looked like smart sell-on clauses, both have been circumvented by the defender’s decision to run down his contract and Gent’s strategic squad management.

“Gent would have to transfer 500,000 euros to Jordan Torunarigha’s former club Hertha for the next appearance.”

As the Berlin side battles for stability on and off the pitch, the missed revenue adds further frustration to what has been a turbulent year. With no licence yet confirmed for the new season, the club’s financial planning may take another hit from this latest setback.

Site Opinion

This is a textbook example of how intelligent contract clauses can be rendered meaningless by poor timing and bad luck. Hertha BSC’s sporting and financial woes are well documented, and this development only sharpens the picture. While Gent’s actions were entirely within their rights, they serve as a reminder that appearance and resale clauses are only as valuable as the circumstances allow. For Torunarigha, the move is a step up. For Hertha, it’s another missed opportunity—both on the pitch and on the balance sheet.