WERDER BREMEN NEWS

Nicolai Rapp - Returns to Werder Rapp returned to Werder from a six-month loan to Kaiserslautern.

Impact Rapp spent six months on loan with Kaiserslautern in the 2. Liga after failing to find playing time in the first half of the season. The defender has openly stated a goal to stay with the club and avoid another loan, and will be given that chance in the 2023-24 pre-season.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oliver Burke - Struggles on loan Burke returned to Werder Bremen after spending six months with Milwall in The Championship.

Impact Burke spent six months on loan with Milwall and made 17 appearances, scoring and assisting twice. The forward failed to find consistent playing time on the wing, and struggled to find any goal-scoring. Burke returns to Werder Bremen where he will likely play a limited rotational role behind Niclas Fullkrug and Marvin Ducksch in 2023-24.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Niklas Schmidt - Returns at first chance Schmidt (undisclosed) got the start during Saturday's clash with Oldenburg.

Impact Schmidt got the start in defensive midfield for the first pre-season friendly. The midfielder was injured during the final match of the 2022-23 Bundesliga but returned in the first match of pre-season. Schmidt's role is likely to be largely rotational in the 2023-24 Bundesliga.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Amos Pieper - Starts opening friendly Pieper (wrist) got the start in the first pre-season friendly against Oldenburg.

Impact Pieper took over in the starting XI to open the first pre-season friendly against Oldenburg. The defender is one of the first names on the team sheet when fit and should be a consistent starter when fit to open 2023-24.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Gross - Starts in central defense Gross (knee) started in central defense during Saturday's 3-1 win over Oldenburg.

Impact Gross returned to the starting XI during Saturday's 3-1 win and started in a new role, playing in central defense. The midfielder spent the majority of 2022-23 playing in central defensive midfield, and isn't likely to stick in central defense moving forward. Gross could face incereased competition for a starting role with the addition of new-signing Naby Keita.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dikeni Salifou - Active against Oldenburg Salifou got the start during Saturday's 3-1 friendly win over VfB Oldenburg.

Impact Salifou returned to the starting XI for the friendly and played 45 minutes during the match. The midfielder missed the final two months of the Bundesliga and failed to take a major role even when fully fit. He would need to play exceptionally well in pre-season to earn a significant role in 2023-24.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Naby Keïta will miss start of season for Werder Bremen because of injury

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keïta will miss the start of the season for Werder Bremen after being injured while preparing for a friendly

JULY 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Naby Keita - Out multiple weeks Keita (groin) will be out for multiple weeks, Werder Bremen announced Monday.

Impact Keita was reported to pick up a knock over the weekend and it was more of the same from the injury-riddled midfielder. A minor knock turned into a serious injury that is now reported to sideline him for multiple weeks. Keita's new goal will be to return to the first team before the Bundesliga opens in August.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Agu - No return timeline Agu (knee) has no timeline for his return, manager Ole Werner told reporters Wednesday.

Impact Agu remains without a timeline for his return following a serious knee injury the midfielder suffered. The wing-back has suffered major set-backs with his injury and remains on the mend, with no timeline for any sort of return.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mitchell Weiser - Injury deemed major Weiser (thigh) suffered a major muscular injury, manager Ole Werner told reporters Wednesday.

Impact Weiser suffered a major muscular injury and is yet to return to training. The defender has yet to make his return to pre-season training and is a doubt to make it for the beginning of the Zillertal training camp, according to Ole Werner. Weiser was a crucial part of the team when fit, totaling 11 goal contributions in 30 appearances.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Amos Pieper - Targeting full return Pieper is nearing a return to full team training, manager Ole Werner told reporters.

Impact Pieper is recovering well from an ankle surgery and is expected to return to full team training during the second week of pre-season training. The center-back missed the final six weeks of the 2022-23 Bundesliga.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dikeni Salifou - Nearing return Salifou (foot) is nearing a return to team training, according to manager Ole Werner.

Impact Salifou is continuing his recovery after a long-term foot injury sidelined him for two months. The midfielder wasn't in line for a major role in 2022-23, failing to make more than a single appearance. Even when fit, Salifou could start the 2023-24 season with the youth team.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Ducksch - Extends contract with Werder Ducksch has signed a contract extension with Werder Bremen, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Ducksch scored 12 goals with six assists last season while starting every single Bundesliga game for Werder Bremen, and the 29-year-old striker has now signed on to remain at the club for a reported three more years. He will hope to continue forming a fearsome front pairing with Niclas Fullkrug heading into the next campaign.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dawid Kownacki - Joins Werder Kownacki signed with Werder on a free transfer after last playing for Dusseldorf.

Impact Kownacki completed a move to Werder, seeing him move into the Bundesliga on a free transfer. The forward projects as a depth option with Niclas Fullkrug likely to depart the club during the Summer transfer window. If Fullkrug does depart the second striker role alongside Marvin Ducksch could be up for grabs in pre-season.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bayern Munich to play Werder Bremen in Bundesliga season opener

Bayern Munich will start its title defense at Werder Bremen in the opening game of the new Bundesliga season

JUNE 30, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mitchell Weiser - Not in training Weiser (thigh) was not active in training Wednesday, BILD reports.

Impact Weiser was not present when Werder Bremen began their off-season training program. This is merely the team's rehab and individual work program, not their pre-season training, so it's possible Weiser is still working indoors. Still the wide midfielder will hope to make some sort of return before the July training camp.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Gross - Returns to training ground Gross (knee) is back on the training ground Wednesday, Werder announced.

Impact Gross is back in training ahead of schedule despite ending the season on the sideline with a knee injury. The midfielder played a major role when fit and could compete for a spot in the starting XI if he can return to full fitness before pre-season training.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Njinmah - Extends contract with team Njinmah has agreed to a three-year contract extension with Werder after spending a year on loan with Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Njinmah made just one appearance with Dortmund last season, spending most of his time with Borussia Dortmund II, where he scored 18 goals in 51 appearances. The forward could be a bench role behind Niclas Fullkrug due to his inexperience in the league, but does have the ability to improve after his impressive season in 3 Liga last campaign.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Amos Pieper - Active in training Pieper (ankle) trained individually Monday, Werder Bremen announced.

Impact Pieper returned to individual training as he makes his way back from a long-term ankle injury. The defender was sidelined for the final six weeks of the Bundesliga, but is now aiming to return for the 2023-24 pre-season.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dikeni Salifou - Trains individually Salifou (foot) took part in individual training Monday, Werder Bremen announced.

Impact Salifou was active in individual training during Monday's session as he continues to make his way back from a long-term foot injury. The midfielder was held to just a single appearance in 2022-23, but could be in line for a more significant role if he's fit for the pre-season.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Naby Keïta leaves Liverpool to sign with Werder Bremen

Midfielder Naby Keïta is leaving Liverpool on a free transfer to move to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen

JUNE 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Naby Keita - Signs with Werder Keita will make a move to Germany after agreeing to a free transfer to Werder Bremen from Liverpool, the club announced.

Impact Keita had a frustrating year with Liverpool, appearing in just eight matches while starting three. He has not played since Feb 25 with a muscle injury, which prompted Liverpool not to resign him. The midfielder is familiar with the Bundesliga as he previous spent two seasons with RB Leipzig from 2016-2018. As long as he stays healthy, Keita can find himself in the starting XI for the team during the 2023/24 season with Romano Schmid and Niklas Schmidt as his competitions.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Ducksch - Tallies twelve times Ducksch scored 12 goals and assisted six times during the 2022/23 Bundesliga.

Impact Ducksch started every single Bundesliga match and formed the most impressive striking duo in the top flight alongside Niclas Fullkrug. Ducksch didn't quite match the goal-scoring prowess of his partner, but still scored 12 times on the way to 18 goal contributions and 52 chances created.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Friedl - Held scoreless Friedl failed to score during 30 appearances (30 starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.

Impact Friedl started all but four matches in the Bundesliga, finding consistent playing time in central defense. The defender was the lone constant in an ever-shifting back line that struggled with injury. Particularly impressive were his 122 clearances and 62 tackles during the Bundesliga, though he was held off the scoresheet for a second consecutive season.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Niclas Fullkrug - Earns golden boot Fullkrug scored 16 times and assisted five times during 28 appearances (all starts) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.

Impact Fullkrug took home top scorer honors despite missing six matches with a calf injury. The striker was brilliant throughout, putting together a career-year and earning a spot in the German national team. Fullkrug took 79 shots and created 34 chances forming a formidable duo with Marvin Ducksch.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE