BERLIN (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen snapped up highly rated teenager Ibrahim Maza from duo club Hertha Berlin in his first signing next season.

The 2024 Bundesliga champion said on Thursday that the 19-year-old attacking midfielder Maza signed a contract in June 2030.

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Kicker Magazine reported that the club provided players with transfer fees of about €12 million ($13.6 million).

It is expected to be the start of a busy summer for Leverkusen, with Jonathan Tan (including Jonathan Tan), all leaving for uncertainty about the future of star Florian Wirtz and the future of coach Xabi Alonso, expected to stay in touch with former Real Madrid club Real Madrid.

Former Barcelona coaches Xavi and Erik Ten Hag, who are in charge of Manchester United, are reportedly candidates to replace Alonso, who led Leverkusen's unbeaten Leverkusen to the league and cup last season.

Berlin-born Maza became Hertha's most promising youth player after joining the teenage team of local club Reinickendorfer Füchse in 2016.

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Hertha was relegated from Bundesliga in 2023 - Maza scored in the club's final match - and he became one of the main attack threats in the second division, where the 1.8-meter right-footed player scored five goals this season and set up another five goals this season.

"Maza is one of the funniest young offensive players right now," said Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes. "Ibrahim is suitable for us and our football style. He has excellent technical skills, can dribble past defenders, and he focuses on teammates, and he knows how to use it well."

Maza chose to represent Algeria before playing for Germany under the age of 18 to under the age of 20. He rejected his previous proposal to leave Hertha and extend his contract with the club to 2027 in August last year, but Hertha's financial difficulties mean he will definitely leave early instead of later.

"The greatest thing for me as a Berliner is to be a professional player in Hertha BSC and be able to wear the Hertha flag on my chest at the Olympics," Maza said in Hertha's statement. "I am now grateful that the club has given me the opportunity to take the next step at the highest level in Leverkusen."

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Hertha said he would offer Maza a "suitable farewell" before he left. There are three rounds left in the remaining second division, and Herta has two games at home.

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