SV Werder Bremen have pulled off the signing of midfielder Naby Keïta on a free transfer from Premier League side Liverpool.
SV Werder Bremen have pulled off the signing of midfielder Naby Keïta on a free transfer from Premier League side Liverpool.
“A number of clubs are obviously going to be interested when a player like Naby Keïta is available on a free transfer. We’re therefore really pleased that Naby has decided to join Werder, despite several other offers. His qualities will massively strengthen our team,” said Clemens Fritz, head of scouting and professional football at Werder Bremen. “We obviously know Naby from his time previously in the Bundesliga and have kept an eye on his career in the Premier League. He suffered an injury setback at the start of this season and that meant he didn’t play as often as he’d have liked to. We now want to get him back to his best.”
Head coach Ole Werner is also delighted with the new signing: “Naby is a technically gifted and hard-running midfielder, who will provide us with lots more flexibility. He is dangerous in front of goal and can also provide assists too. He will be an important figure in the centre of the pitch for our squad. He played in a Champions League final last year and has so much experience on the international stage, which our team will only benefit from. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Naby Keïta joined RB Salzburg in 2014 from French side FC Istres. Following a spell at RB Leipzig, he moved to Liverpool in 2018. The central midfielder, who played 58 Bundesliga games for Leipzig (14 goals, 13 assists), appeared 129 times in all competitions for Jürgen Klopp’s side in England over the last five years. He was part of the side that won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League with the Reds. “I’m really excited for my new challenge here in Bremen,” said Guinea’s captain. “I was impressed by what the club told me about the setup here and Werder’s style of play. The coach gave me a really good feeling and showed how I can help the team. Werder is a special club and I know the Weserstadion from my time with Leipzig. This club and its philosophy will be a good match for me, so this is the right step for my career."
