Hertha Berlin Goalkeeper Jersey Nike 2012-13 KRAFT Vintage

Hertha Berlin 2012-13 — The Nike goalkeeper jersey with the unmissable "KRAFT" print

For the 2012-13 season, Hertha Berlin was in the Bundesliga and its goalkeepers wore this Nike long-sleeved jersey with KRAFT printed on it — a striking name on a design you don't see every day. The prominent sponsor Deutsche Bahn (DB), an authentic goalkeeper cut, and a Boys M size make it a unique piece in any collection of vintage Bundesliga jerseys.

Jersey details

Season: 2012-2013
Club: Hertha Berlin
Type: Goalkeeper — long sleeves
Manufacturer: Nike
Sponsor: DB (Deutsche Bahn)
Print: KRAFT
Size: Boys M
Condition: 8/10
State: SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, print slightly marked by time, confirming that this jersey has a history

What this jersey represents

The 2012-13 season for Hertha Berlin was a pivotal one for the German capital's club. After promotion to the Bundesliga, Hertha BSC sought to establish itself among Germany's football elite, in a context where every point earned at the Olympiastadion in Berlin counted double. It was a team building, fighting, and carrying the hopes of an entire blue and white fan base.

In Hertha's goal that season was Thomas Kraft — precisely the goalkeeper whose name is printed on this jersey. Trained at Bayern Munich, Kraft had established himself as the starting goalkeeper for the Berlin club, bringing seriousness and solidity to a rebuilding defense. Around him, players like Nico Schulz, Peter Niemeyer, and Raffael gave the squad a recognizable and combative face.

Moments etched into this jersey

Thomas Kraft, starting goalkeeper for Berlin
Thomas Kraft defended Hertha's goal consistently throughout the 2012-13 season. Seeing his name printed on an authentic goalkeeper jersey from that era is a direct connection to the Olympiastadion's number one.

Nike and Hertha — a partnership rooted in the 2010s
Nike supplied Hertha Berlin for several seasons, and this long-sleeved goalkeeper jersey perfectly illustrates Nike's style of the time: a fitted cut, Dri-FIT technology, and meticulous finishes for a top-level jersey. A characteristic design that is immediately recognizable in the large family of vintage Nike Bundesliga jerseys.

Deutsche Bahn, the club's historic sponsor
The DB — Deutsche Bahn logo on the chest of this jersey is a strong historical marker. The German railway giant was long associated with Hertha BSC, and this partnership rooted in Berlin's economic reality gives every DB sponsored jersey additional authenticity for collectors.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is the actual jersey worn on the field — not a lightweight, mass-market version. The materials are different, the cut is more technical, and the finishing details are superior. On an authentic Nike goalkeeper jersey like this one, you immediately feel it in your hand: the fabric's texture, the weight of the prints, the quality of the original printing.

This one displays an 8/10 condition with slightly used printings — meaning the jersey is in very good overall condition but the print shows slight traces of actual use. This is precisely what differentiates it from a replica taken out of a box: this piece has a history, it has been worn, it has experienced the 2012-13 season from the inside.

Vintage sizing guide

This jersey is labeled Boys M — a children/teenager size that corresponds to a rather slender build in current adult sizes. Vintage Nike jerseys from the 2010s generally run smaller than what you find in stores today, and goalkeeper cuts are often more fitted than outfield cuts. Before purchasing, it is essential to check the actual measurements of the jersey.

The foolproof method: measure flat the chest circumference (from seam to seam, multiplied by two) and the total length of the jersey. Compare these figures with a jersey you already own that fits you well. A difference of two centimeters can completely change the fit, especially on a long-sleeved goalkeeper cut. Never rely solely on the label on a vintage collector's jersey.

Why have it in your collection

Vintage goalkeeper jerseys are the most undervalued category in the collector's market and yet one of the rarest. They are produced in much smaller quantities than outfield jerseys, worn by only one starting player most of the time, and therefore have a very limited commercial lifespan. A Hertha Berlin Nike 2012-13 goalkeeper jersey with KRAFT printed on it is exactly the kind of piece you rarely come across — and even less so in this condition.

With an 8/10 condition, this jersey remains in the high end of the vintage market. The wear on the prints is light and natural — nothing prohibitive, all authentic. There aren't many in this condition still lying around, especially with a specific player print like this one. For a collector of vintage Bundesliga jerseys or a Hertha BSC fan, this is a clear opportunity.

To go further

• Hertha Berlin — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — History of jerseys
• UEFA — European football

A goalkeeper jersey with KRAFT printed, in Boys M, from the 2012-13 season — this is exactly the kind of piece missing from a serious collection of Bundesliga jerseys. It's up to you to decide if it's yours.