Tjark Ernst

Ernst joined Hertha BSC's academy pipeline the long way round. He came through TSG Niederdorfelden and DJK Arminia Bochum before spending more than a decade with the VfL Bochum academy, and even made the senior matchday squad there in February 2022 without getting on the pitch. That summer he moved to Hertha BSC for a €300,000 fee, starting out with the reserves in the Regionalliga before earning his place in the first team in 2023.

Between 2023 and 2026 he made 88 league appearances and nine cup appearances for Hertha. He was named man of the match for a decisive late save in a 0-0 draw against SV Darmstadt 98 in August 2025. The following season he helped Hertha reach the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals, and in the tie against SC Freiburg in February 2026 he saved a penalty in the shootout after a 1-1 draw, though Hertha ultimately lost 5-4 on spot-kicks.

That run of form preceded a release-clause move: Feyenoord paid €5,000,000 to sign him in July 2026. He took the number one shirt in Rotterdam and made his debut in the UEFA Champions League on 9 September 2026, playing the full 90 minutes against Barcelona.

Ernst has represented Germany at every youth level from Under-15 to Under-21, collecting 15 caps in total. He was part of the Germany squad that finished runners-up at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.