Werder Bremen Confirm Deal to Sign US Prodigy Josh Sargent in 2018
Sep 20, 2017
USA footballer Josh Sargent celebrates after scoring against Honduras during their Under-17 Concacaf qualifying football match at the Maracana stadium on May 3, 2017 in Panama City. / AFP PHOTO / RODRIGO ARANGUA (Photo credit should read RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images)
Werder Bremen have announced they will sign Joshua Sargent from St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri in 2018.
In a statement on the Bundesliga side's official website on Wednesday, it was confirmed the 17-year-old will officially join up with Werder when he turns 18 on February 20.
The club's Twitter account posted the following picture of the United States youth international alongside Tim Steidten, Bremen's head of squad planning and scouting:
"We are extremely happy that despite the numerous offers from other top clubs in Europe, he was convinced by our philosophy at SV Werder and that we can now oversee his development as a player and support him along the way," Steidten said.
"My full concentration is first and foremost on the World Cup and the time I have left in Missouri," Sargent said. "But I am really looking forward to next year and the new challenge in Bremen."
As noted in the statement, Sargent is set to take part in the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October 6 before moving to Bremen in the new year.
The deal will be deemed a coup for Werder, as Sargent is rated as one of the most exciting prospects in the United States youth setup at the moment.
Per Scouted Football, despite being just 17, he was impressive at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the summer, finishing up with four goals:
🇺🇸 Josh Sargent, 17
Intelligent movement and clinical finishing characterised his tournament. Breaking records left, right and centre. pic.twitter.com/E6RB2yz2XZ
The youngster has shown in his appearances for club and country so far that he has a bright future ahead.
Sargent is so sharp around the penalty area, as he's able to find space, scamper away from defenders and finish with precision. The striker is quick, technically strong and appears to have the temperament needed to shine on the big stage.
German football is home to a number of full United States internationals, including John Brooks, Bobby Wood and Fabian Johnson. Sargent will be keen to follow in the footsteps of Christian Pulisic, though; the 19-year-old has established himself as one of the best young players in the game at Borussia Dortmund.
Ousman Manneh Scores Werder Bremen Winner After Leaving Gambia as Refugee
Oct 17, 2016
BREMEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 07: A general overview of the Weserstadion prior to the pre-season friendly match between Werder Bremen and FC Chelsea at Weserstadion on August 7, 2016 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
Werder Bremen striker Ousman Manneh hailed "the greatest moment of my life" after he netted the winning goal in a 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, just two years on from his move to Germany from Gambia as a refugee.
Per BBC Sport, Manneh, 19, left his family in 2014 as a 17-year-old and fled to Germany, where he started to play football at a refugee centre.
His 59th-minute winner against Leverkusen was his first goal for Werder—coming in his fourth appearance—and he questioned after the match whether it had really happened, per BBC Sport:
I can't believe this.
Is this real or am I dreaming? This is the greatest moment of my life.
It's hard to describe my feelings.
I've been so proud to be the first Gambian to play four Bundesliga games, and now I'm proud to be the first one to score.
Opta confirmed the historic nature of Manneh's strike:
1 - Ousman Manneh's goal for @werderbremen_en is the 1st BL goal scored by a player from Gambia in the Bundesliga. Historical. #svwb04
BBC Sport's report added that fifth-tier side Blumenthaler gave Manneh his first opportunity in German football, and his 15 goals in 11 games for the club's youth team attracted Werder's interest, and they signed him to their reserves in March 2015.
His goal on Saturday earned Bremen only their second win from seven in the new league season, and they now sit 13th in the table on seven points.
Serge Gnabry to Werder Bremen: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction
Aug 31, 2016
Arsenal's Serge Gnabry tries to score past Sunderland's Liam Bridcutt during their English Premier League soccer match, at Emirates Stadium, in London, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Bogdan Maran)
Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry moved to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on Wednesday, securing a deal that will surprise many.
Bremen revealed, via their official Twitter feed, he would be unveiled in a press conference, where he expressed how pleased he is to join the club:
The 21-year-old had one year left on his deal with the Gunners, whom he joined in 2011. Gnabry made just 18 first-team appearances for Arsenal in that time, scoring once.
He spent the first half of last season on loan with West Bromwich Albion, but after failing to make an impact at the Hawthorns—he made just three appearances for the Baggies, two of which were in the League Cup—he was sent back to Arsenal in January, where he subsequently failed to get on the pitch.
The youngster's fortunes changed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he finished as the joint-top scorer in the men's football tournament with six goals.
Per Goal's Chris Wheatley, he was voted as Die Mannschaft's best player:
His efforts earned Germany a place in the final, and he converted his penalty in the shootout defeat to eventual winners Brazil. Gnabry and Co. did not leave empty-handed, though, even if they were forced to settle for silver.
According to Bleacher Report UK's Clark Whitney, the youngster had to overcome fitness issues to do so at the Games:
A pacey winger, he showed he can be lethal in the final third as he cuts in from the left. Gnabry is versatile, too—he can play on the right and provide cover centrally if needed.
He never had much opportunity to shine at Arsenal, but his new side can help him kickstart his career.
Indeed, at Werder, he will likely face less competition for places, and so he should get the game time he needs to develop if he's to reach his potential.
Former footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft did not understand Arsenal's decision to let him go, though:
Werder Bremen signing Gnabry for 5 mill euro!!! I don't get this deal
The Gunners' loss will be Bremen's gain if Gnabry is able to kick on at the Weserstadion, where he'll look to supply the likes of Claudio Pizarro and Max Kruse.
The German side narrowly stayed up last year and will be hoping to avoid a relegation scrap this year—Gnabry could be the man to make the difference.
Papy Djilobodji to Werder Bremen: Latest Loan Transfer Details, Reaction, More
Jan 21, 2016
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 19: Papy Djilobodji of Nantes in action during the french Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and FC Nantes at the Parc des Princes stadium on January 19, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji has joined Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan until the end of the season.
The German outfit posted the following image on their official Twitter feed on Thursday, announcing the transfer had gone through:
After signing for the Blues in the summer of 2015 from Nantes, it’s been a difficult spell for the Senegal international. He’s played just one minute for the champions and looks unlikely to have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
As noted by ITV, the defender has followed a common route away from the English capital:
Djilobodji will be hoping to get regular minutes under his belt at the Weserstadion and show the kind of form which made him a very capable Ligue 1 defender during his time with Nantes.
At his best, the 27-year-old is a forceful presence, strong in aerial battles and powerful in the tackle.
Despite Chelsea’s defensive woes this season, Djilobodji has never been given a chance to impress for the Blues and will surely be hoping some strong performances in Germany can earn him a permanent move away from west London.
Aron Johannsson to Werder Bremen: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
Aug 4, 2015
United States' Aron Johannsson drives with the ball against Panama's Adolfo Machado during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup third place soccer match, Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Aron Johannsson looks set for a move to the Bundesliga after AZ Alkmaar announced they have come to an agreement to sell the USMNT striker to Werder Bremen.
Bremen will reportedly pay around $5 million for Johannsson, who leaves AZ after two-and-a-half years with the Dutch club, during which time he netted 39 goals in 71 appearances, per NBC Sports' Joe Prince-Wright.
The 24-year-old has yet to agree personal terms with the German outfit but will make the switch as soon as a deal can be agreed, per an AZ statement (h/t Prince-Wright):
AZ has reached an agreement in outline with Werder Bremen over the transfer of Aron Johannsson. The club has given the 24- year-old striker permission to come to a personal agreement with the Germans. Johannsson will not be traveling Wednesday with AZ to Turkey. If AZ and Werder’s agreement works out completely, and Johannsson also reaches a personal agreement and passes the medical examination, the American international will sign a multi-year contract with Werder Bremen.
Bremen announced the deal on Wednesday, and chief executive Thomas Elchin and sporting director Rouen Schroeder described the forward's role:
"Aron was our top choice for the vacant striker's position. Therefore we're really happy that he's chosen to sign for us. He'll fit in incredibly well with the team, both on and off the field," said Eichin.
Sporting director Rouven Schröder also added his opinion. "Despite his size, Aron is a very mobile striker who scored goals at an excellent rate for Alkmaar. At 24 years of age he's already got some valuable international experience, having represented the USA at national level as well as playing in the Europa League. He's also got a lot of potential to improve further and to continue his positive career trajectory with us here at Werder," said Schröder.
Bundesliga expert Cristian Nyari sees the move as an ideal switch for Johannsson's career development, and a decent piece of business from Werder:
#USMNT striker Aron Johannsson transfers to Werder Bremen. Great move for both parties. Will develop greatly in the Bundesliga.
Although he will have to sacrifice playing in the Europa League—AZ have the second leg of their third-qualifying-round clash against Istanbul Basaksehi on Thursday—Johannsson is definitely taking a step up.
The Bundesliga is a higher quality proposition than the Eredivisie, and Werder Bremen will be looking to improve in the upcoming term on an decent 10th-placed showing in 2014-15.
Felix Kroos: Toni Kroos' Brother Still Trying to Make It
Apr 6, 2015
Bremen's Felix Kroos celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg in Bremen, Germany, Sunday, March 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Real Madrid's German central midfielder Toni Kroos, 25, is a FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner.
Meanwhile, his little brother, Felix Kroos, 24, a German defensive midfielder, is barely holding on to his place as a Werder Bremen starter.
Like Toni, Felix was once a promising teenage footballer.
Unlike Toni, Felix is still trying to make the grade at top-flight level.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Toni Kroos of Germany celebrates with his medal after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, B
"Am I really the only one?" Toni said in 2014 after being told he was the first East German to win the FIFA World Cup, per Jens Mende at Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "I am not as much in touch with those times as my parents."
Toni's father, Roland, believed the former East Germany's gymnasiums promoted sporting excellence, per Ian Hawkey at The Telegraph.
By now Roland probably has realised the German reunification factored into the demise of East German football clubs in the Bundesliga, per Glen Moutrie at The Guardian.
This is why in 2006, Toni, at the time a 16-year-old wunderkind, succumbed to the allure of Bayern Munich, an institution of success and opulence—the antithesis of Hansa Rostock, the club he left.
Roland provided the foundation blocks for his sons.
"[My first coach was] my father firstly at home and then in Greifswald," Toni said in January, per DFB.de. "Felix and I played football and trained together with [dad] from an early age."
According to family friend Hartmut Schmidt, Toni grew up watching Werder Bremen because of a French No. 10.
"Felix liked Steffen Baumgart, a Hansa Rostock striker, but [Toni] was more partial to Johan Micoud," Schmidt said in 2014, per Marca. "Toni lacked brawn and was a little slower, but he learned to develop his talent. He was a strategist from a young age."
Realising he lacked the fast-twitch muscle fibers to outrun opposing players Alexander Esswein-style, Toni studied Micoud, who was Werder Bremen's answer to Zinedine Zidane.
You surmise the most important takeaway Toni learnt from watching Micoud was how the Frenchman found space, the way he controlled Werder Bremen's possessions and when to play the defence-splitting pass.
Then-Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld was in awe of Toni's footballing intelligence.
"Toni is a future international," Hitzfeld said in 2007, per Manfred Christoph at UEFA.com. "He always takes the right decision on the pitch and you don't have to tell him what to do."
Believe it or not, there was not a Tobias Schweinsteiger-Bastian Schweinsteiger gap in quality between the Kroos brothers as teenagers.
Having scored 13 goals in 13 games for the Hansa Rostock U17s, Felix was a top centre-forward prospect.
Felix was expected to not only elevate Hansa Rostock from the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga, but to be a cash cow, like Oliver Neuville.
In Felix's debut 2. Bundesliga campaign, he went goalless in 733 minutes.
Kicker ranked him as the 26th-highest rated footballer at Hansa Rostock.
Granted, Felix improved his Kicker rating (on a scale of 1-6, the lower the better) from 4.60 (2008/09) to 3.75 (2009/10), he was in and out of the Matchday squad.
Werder Bremen offered Felix a lifeline.
"I had to do something new for my development," Felix said in 2010, per Werder.de. "My goal is to become a Bundesliga player. Being able to train with so many stars at Werder Bremen will push me forward."
Then-Werder Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf revealed Felix was a project.
"We will work together on ensuring Felix can develop successfully with us," Schaaf said in 2010, per Sky Sports. "In the mid-term, we have quite a bit of hope in him."
What Does Felix Do?
Going 0/29 in goals/games for Hansa Rostock, how was Felix going to survive in the Bundesliga as a centre-forward
He didn't.
Werder Bremen had a "bit of hope" in Felix, except as a No. 9.
November 28, 2010, Werder Bremen 3-0 St Pauli: Right-winger.
Four years and seven months ago, Schaaf acknowledged Felix's defensive shortcomings.
"Felix certainly has some things to improve," Schaaf said in 2010, per Werder.de. "Such as moving backwards and playing without the ball."
Under Viktor Skrypnyk and Robin Dutt, Werder Bremen's last two managers, Felix's tackling inefficiency is still a talking point.
Werder Bremen have decided Felix is a defensive midfielder, but he is not a natural defender.
Hence why he only completes 53.8 percent of his tackles this season and 52.9 percent during the 2013-14 campaign.
Forced to play as a centre-back against Eintracht Frankfurt, Felix was isolated in a one-on-one situation against Sebastian Rode.
Rather than directly challenge for the ball, Felix obstructed Rode's path and was dismissed for getting a second yellow card.
In Bayern Munich's 6-0 win over Werder Bremen, Felix was given a 6.0 along with six other teammates, which is the worst rating you can receive from Kicker.
It is fraught with danger to continue burdening Felix with defensive responsibilities as his body has routinely broken down.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Luka Modric of Tottenham Hotspur is fouled by Felix Kroos of Werder Bremen leading to a penalty which was missed by team mate Gareth Bale during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Tottenham Hotspur and SV Werde
Felix probably wishes he could drink Felix Felicis considering his Sami Khedira-esque misfortune with injury:
August 28, 2010, per Werder.de: "Felix Kroos (medial collateral strain)."
May 19, 2011, per Werder.de: "The worst off is the 20-year-old Kroos as the midfielder suffered a foot ligament tear in the Werder U23s' final game of the season. Werder's young talent is currently bound to walk with crutches."
April 25, 2012, per Werder.de: "Werder midfielder Felix Kroos had successful spleen surgery over the weekend."
November 26, 2013, per Werder.de: "Werder midfielder Felix Kroos will miss the remainder of the 2013 calendar year with a torn knee ligament."
March 26, 2014, per Werder.de: "Subsequent examinations by Werder Bremen's medical department determined that [Felix] suffered a capsular injury in his left knee as well a bone compression."
Schuften fürs Comeback: Für Felix Kroos begann die Rückrunde bereits heute im Kraftraum. Hau rein, Junge! pic.twitter.com/6rlOmveF8r
Felix is like Kevin Grosskreutz in that you can see slow retrogression instead of steady progression.
The irony is Selke will probably play in the 2. Bundesliga next season if RB Leipzig, currently sixth in Germany's second division don't get promoted, while Felix may continue to struggle in the Bundesliga.
Veering towards Rani Khedira territory, Felix should consider stepping down to the 2. Bundesliga, a move which could kick-start a faltering career.
Felix's career path should have mirrored Dieter Hoeness, Michael Rummenigge or Thomas Allofs—a quality footballer in his own right, but outshone by an older brother.
"We spoke everyday during the [FIFA] World Cup on the phone right after the matches," Felix said in 2014, per Bundesliga.com. "I'm very proud for [Toni] to achieve so much, so young."
Now it's time for Felix to experience success by seeking a move to a lower level rather than eking out what has so far been an underwhelming career in the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund were once again left short of luck or fortune in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon when Werder Bremen welcomed Jurgen Klopp's side to the Weserstadion and duly overcame them by two goals to one...
What Werder Bremen Can Learn from Dortmund to Get Back to the Top
Feb 9, 2014
Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski of Poland, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund in Bremen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Werder Bremen's 5-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in this weekend's Bundesliga showdown will have raised few eyebrows across the league, yet for many fans of the green and whites, it will go down as just another week in what has been one of the most dramatic demises of any club in Germany.
Of course, Werder Bremen weren't always this bad.
For a club with such a rich history in the Bundesliga we only have to go back six years to this very matchday to see a league table with the famous Die Werderaner in second place, three points from first and plucky Dortmund just five points from a relegation spot.
Yet, although changing fortunes of one club to the next is exactly what the Bundesliga is all about and undoubtedly one of its grandest appeals, there must be some who watched this weekend's tie between these two yo-yo clubs and wondered just what Bremen would have to do to turn their fortunes around just like Dortmund have done.
The first drastic contrast between Bremen and Dortmund is, of course, the man who stands on either touch-line throughout each game. The Borussia side are not only coached by Jurgen Klopp, but clearly live through his mantra of how to play football.
Every player at the club would quite happily run through walls for their passionate manager.
Robin Dutt - a clueless head coach?
On the other hand, we have Robin Dutt who picked up the role of Bremen head coach following the sacking of Thomas Schaff in May of last year. The defender-turned-coach who guided the Green and Whites through their recent golden period and amassed a dynasty at the club of 14 years.
Yet, Dutt has managed very little since arriving at the club, with a win ratio of 24 percent after 21 games in the Bundesliga, and with a CV that shows little more than a bright stint at 2. Bundesliga side Freiburg (at the time) and one season at Bayer Leverkusen that did very little to impress fans, as he followed club legend Jupp Heynckes out the door the following season.
However, it isn't just Dutt's record that stands against him. His personality and style of managing doesn't adhere him to the great unconvinced either.
Throughout the league we have a number of young, exciting coaches who have took over at certain clubs and made them their own, just like Klopp has done at Dortmund. At Gladbach we have Lucien Favre, Thomas Tuchel at Mainz and Christian Streich at Freiburg. Each has their own personality that is so evident through their teams and what makes their clubs so stable and eager to move up the league.
Bremen used to have that in the form of Schaff, but they did seem to have justifiable reasons for eventually letting him go. They should have spent more time finding a manager who could then emulate what the former coach had done and work to build upon it.
At this point in time, Dutt doesn't seem to be the man for that job.
The other pillar of Dortmund's success from zero to hero in such a short time period is, of course, the manner in which they were able to play the transfer market to their beckoning call as well as developing efficient youth players to come through the ranks of the team.
The latter of these traits is one that we may have to side step for Bremen due to the fact that geography simply does not favour them when it comes to young players to latch onto throughout Germany.
Dortmund reside within the Ruhr area of Germany that has been home to a vast majority of the country's most promising young players. It's a factory floor for German prodigies and exactly why Schalke, as well as Klopp's own side, are continuously stacked in young alternatives on the bench.
Bremen do have a perfectly good youth system—one that is undoubtedly better than most across the U.K.—but not the kind of conveyor belt that can take them to the top of the Bundesliga like it did Dortmund.
Where Die Werderaner can potentially compete is in the transfer market.
In fact, it's the one problem that they must tackle head on. Selling players and refusing to find cheaper alternatives are exactly what has got the club into this mess, and it's something they'll have to deal with if they want to get out.
Most fans would point to the moment Miroslav Klose was allowed to leave for Bayern Munich in 2008, but as Dortmund have shown time and time again, it isn't through the manner of holding on to your best players that you maintain success, but rather through the effort to constantly evolve and find ample replacements.
The real demise of Werder Bremen came in the summer of 2010. The club had just sold Mesut Ozil, a talented young midfielder who had just had a wonderful World Cup for Germany, to Real Madrid for a modest €15 million.
This exact point was where they stopped chasing success.
Marco Reus. An example of Dortmund's efficient transfer policy.
Selling Ozil was no fault alone. He was a young player who was wanted by half of Europe, and when Real Madrid came calling, he simply couldn't say no. Yet, the manner in which the club went about replacing their young prodigy was doomed to failure.
In came Marko Arnautovic from FC Twente of Holland's Eredivisie and Brazilian attacking midfielder Wesley from Santos in Brazil. Two unproven midfielders who amassed a grand total of four goals and five assists in 45 Bundesliga matches between them that season. Only five goals and 12 assists less than Ozil had single-handedly managed the year before. That season Bremen finished 13th, just three spots above relegation.
Of course, the terrible transfers don't just end there.
The following season saw Per Mertesacker move to Arsenal with little more than an unknown quantity in Sokratis from Genoa in Italy's Serie A on loan to replace him. Then the season after that, we see young star Marko Marin chance his arm at a move to Chelsea while the club's one good centre back, Naldo, opts for a big-money move to Wolfsburg.
Replacements? Why bother when they can sign Eljero Elia from Juventus and Gebre Selassie from Czech Republic side FC Slovan. Bremen then finished 14th that season.
When Dortmund lost Nuri Sahin, they signed the young, exciting prospect of Ilkay Gundogan from Nurnberg. When they lost Shinji Kagawa, they had Marco Reus confirmed as a simple replacement. Even now, as Robert Lewandowski looks set to sign for Bayern Munich, Dortmund are working feverishly to sign players such as Kevin Volland or Adrian Ramos.
If Klopp is forced to sell a first-team player, you'll be sure to see him line up a perfect replacement who has already proved himself in the league.
It's this inability or simple ignorance toward dealing with good players leaving the club, as they do all over the World at big and small clubs alike, that has cost Bremen their spot at the Bundesliga's top table over the past four years.
The Bundesliga is a tight affair with clubs that come and go, but what distinguishes one from the other is the manner in which they can rebuild squads and continue competing. Werder Bremen haven't done that for some time, and it is exactly why they are now three points from relegation.
It's Wednesday, August 31 deadline day. Like usual, many clubs both big and small have procrastinated all summer on finding new additions to their teams. But it's now or never...
