It’s been an exciting few hours for Skelly Alvero: At the end of the winter transfer window, the central midfielder has agreed to a switch to Werder. The 21-year-old has moved on loan from Olympique Lyonnais to the Weser for the rest of the season. WERDER.DE and WERDER.TV caught up with the new boy for an interview and spoke with him about his journey to SVW, his goals in Green and White and the task ahead of him.
WERDER.DE: Hi Skelly, welcome to Bremen. You’ve arrived right at the end of the transfer window, and everything happened very quickly in the end. How have the last few hours been for you?
Skelly Alvero: Hello to the fans – I’m very happy to be here. It actually all went very quickly and the last few hours haven’t been so easy. But I have arrived now and I’m very glad. I can barely wait to show what I can do and get started here.
WERDER.DE: Up until now you’ve only ever played in France – Werder is the first time you’ve been stationed abroad. How do you feel about leaving home for the first time?
Skelly Alvero: It’s something special, something new for me. I think my qualities will help me fit in well with the team, though, and that I can contribute well. I’m waiting until I’m needed and I get used.
WERDER.DE: In the 21/22 season you were still playing in the French fifth tier, and then you moved up quickly through the second division into Ligue 1. Now you’re making the next step by moving to the Bundesliga.
Skelly Alvero: Yes, that’s true, I started off small in the fifth division. It’s my goal to develop further and play in higher leagues. I succeeded in doing that in France. Now I have the chance to try to do it in Germany as well. I’m very proud of the journey I’ve been on up to now and I’m looking forward to continuing my development here.
WERDER.DE: What were your first thoughts when you heard about the interest from the Bundesliga?
Skelly Alvero: It does something for you. My heart leapt when I learned that there was interest in me away from home. From such a famous league, as well. That’s why I’m in such a hurry to get involved and show what I can do.
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— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) January 31, 2024
SV Werder Bremen have completed the signing of midfielder Skelly Alvero on loan from @OL_English until the end of the season ✍️#werderpic.twitter.com/FWURkJSgHf
WERDER.DE: In Corentin Tolisso, you had a teammate at Lyon with plenty of Bundesliga experience. Did he give you any insight into the league or Werder?
Skelly Alvero: No, it all went so quickly that I didn’t have the chance to talk to my teammates about their experiences in the Bundesliga. If I’d known sooner, though, I would have found out more from them.
WERDER.DE: How do you perceive Werder as a club so far?
Skelly Alvero: Werder were already very familiar to me. When I was little, Werder were one of the top clubs. I have a lot of memories from that time. There were a few French players who played before me at Werder, as well. So I’m happy to be here.
WERDER.DE: You’ve spoke about Werder’s French players – Johan Micoud and Valerién Ismaël have had great success here. What links you to those players?
Skelly Alvero: I was still really young at the time. The names mean something to me and I know they’ve won trophies here. I’m going to have my own experiences here.
WERDER.DE: You’re obviously a central midfielder, but can you describe your style of play?
Skelly Alvero: I’m a versatile midfielder, good in one-on-one duels and I have attacking qualities as well.
WERDER.DE: We’re looking forward to seeing you on the pitch, but what are you like off it?
Skelly Alvero: I like to cook or play video games with my friends and I’m always in contact with my family.
WERDER.DE: The next Bundesliga game is in just three days against Mainz. What are your thoughts ahead of Saturday?
Skelly Alvero: I hope that we can continue from where we left off with two wins in our last two games. It would be nice if we can build on this. There is still a while to go in the season and plenty of games to be won. I hope we can get a victory against Mainz.
WERDER.DE: So do we! Thanks for your time and have a great start to life in Green and White!
