"I am ready for a new challenge"

Naby Keïta's first day in Bremen

Naby Keïta smiles while holding a football in his hands.
Naby Keïta is looking forward to taking on a new challenge at Werder (Photo: W.DE).
First Team
Monday, 10.07.2023 / 16:27

Naby Keïta arrived at the wohninvest WESERSTADION on Monday morning with a big smile on his face, on what was his first official day as a Green-White. In between his performance tests and a photo shoot for the club's official autograph cards, the 28-year-old was able to get to know some of his new teammates. “I’m glad to be here and the lads were also happy to see me,” he said. Keïta is expected to take part in his first team training session on Wednesday. “I’m ready to give it my all in the Bundesliga for the team,” he said.

Keïta was away on international duty in June, successfully qualifying for next year’s AFCON with Guinea despite two defeats. He captained the side in a 2-1 loss to Egypt and also played the majority of the 4-1 friendly defeat to Brazil. “We may have lost both games, but we delivered two good performances,” said Keïta, who then spent time on holiday with his family in Africa. “I felt strong in both games and am ready to join my new team,” he said.  

Keïta calls his new teammates his “new family” and is looking forward to enjoying success together. “The team always comes first for me,” said Keïta, who joined SVW from Liverpool FC. “They can help me find my way back to top form.”

Keïta is looking at what’s ahead

Naby Keïta during performance testing.
Keïta completed his performances tests on Monday (Photo: W.DE).

Despite having won the Champions League while at Liverpool, injuries prevented Keïta from fully meeting the expectations he had set for himself.

Now, Keïta is getting to know his new surroundings. The midfielder is staying in a hotel at the moment, but is hoping to move into a new home after training camp. Keïta, who has been capped 54 times for Guinea, will also be reunited with Oliver Burke and Anthony Jung, who he briefly played together with while at RB Leipzig. His focus, however, is firmly on the future. “My injuries are part of the past and I’m fully focused on my new team and not what happened in the past,” he said. “I am ready for a new challenge and think that we have what it takes to be successful this season.”

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