Talent-snatchers get another teenage prodigy from their rivals' ranks

How do you stay the best team in the country for a decade? By being one step ahead of the competition every time - and, in Bayern's case, making your opponents weaker by taking their best players.

Bayern took Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund, Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig, Lukas Podolski from Koln, Manuel Neuer from Schalke 04 - just to name a few. The Bavarian giants have become experts in seizing the best players from other German clubs. But they aren't doing it on the senior level. Oh no, they're "stealing" kids away from their rivals. Their latest prey is Hertha's 16-year-old prodigy midfielder Noel Aseko Nkili.

This youngster was in stellar form for Hertha's Under-17s last season, managing eight assists and showing that he's equally competent in completing both defensive and offensive tasks in his team's midfield. His performances in Berlin put both Bayern and Leipzig on alert, but you have to say who's boss in Germany. When Bayern cast the net, they catch the fish - and the others can only watch in anger and envy.

Nkili's profile was rightly intriguing for Germany's record champions, as confirmed by their youth team's sporting director Holger Seitz.

"We've had Noel on our radar for a long time. He is an absolute top talent in his age group and in his position. We are happy to have convinced him that Bayern has the best environment for him to continue to develop as a player. Noel has a great mentality, he can inspire a team. We are convinced of his qualities. He will thrive with us."

The youngster will play for the Bavarians' youth side under the attentive coaching staff.

"I'm really looking forward to this big challenge at Bayern and can't wait to be on the pitch with my new team."