Werder Bremen Team News - Soccer

Mitchell Weiser - Comeback timeline unclear Weiser (knee) remains without a clear timeline for his return, with coach Daniel Thioune suggesting it could stretch into October in a worst case scenario, according to Deichstube.

Impact Weiser has missed more than a year with a torn ACL and meniscus injury and recently rejoined team sessions at the club's Zillertal training camp, though only in a limited capacity without physical contact. Thioune said that restriction will continue into next week, with contact work to follow only once his body responds well to the added intensity. It remains uncertain whether Weiser will be ready for the DFB Pokal opener on Aug. 22 or the following week's league opener at Freiburg. Weiser is expected to be gradually reintegrated into full training as the club continues to monitor his recovery.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dariusz Stalmach - Plays 35 minutes in friendly Stalmach (knee) played 35 minutes in Saturday's friendly against Bochum, according to Worum.org.

Impact Stalmach's involvement is an encouraging sign after a knee ligament issue affected him following his summer move from Magdeburg, one that appeared minor enough for him to travel with the squad to Werder Bremen's preseason training camp without concern. His workload in this match marks continued progress, and it should keep building as he works toward full integration ahead of the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Felix Agu - Plays one half in return Agu (undisclosed) played one half in Saturday's friendly against Bochum, according to Worum.org.

Impact Agu's involvement is an encouraging sign after a muscular issue had affected him at the end of last season, one that appeared minor enough for him to travel with the squad to Werder Bremen's preseason training camp without concern. His workload in this match marks continued progress, and it should keep building as he works toward full fitness heading into the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Senne Lynen - Dealing with abdominal issues Lynen will miss the entire week of Werder Bremen's training camp in Zell am Ziller due to ongoing abdominal muscle issues, according to coach Daniel Thioune, per DeichStube. "His i...

Impact Lynen had already been unable to take part in team training and a recent friendly due to the issue, and he watched Monday's opening training camp session from the sidelines. The setback is a frustrating one given his recent hip injury last season, though manager Thioune's comments suggest the club is not overly concerned about a prolonged absence, with a return to training expected as soon as next week.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Dariusz Stalmach - Departs for preseason camp Stalmach (knee) had a recent injury issue that appears to be minor, as he was among the 29 players who traveled with Werder Bremen to its first preseason training camp in the Zille...

Impact Stalmach had been dealing with a ligament injury since joining the club this summer from Magdeburg, and his inclusion in the traveling squad for the training camp is an encouraging sign that the issue isn't a big one. His full participation in the camp positions him to build toward the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign without the setback that limited his early integration at the club.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Agu - Joins preseason camp Agu (undisclosed) had a recent injury issue that appears to be minor, as he is among the 29 players who traveled with Werder Bremen to its first preseason training camp in the Zill...

Impact Agu had been dealing with a muscular injury that also affected him at the end of last season, and his inclusion in the traveling squad for the training camp is an encouraging sign that the issue has not lingered too much into preseason. His full participation in the camp positions him to build toward the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign without the setback that limited him last season.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Malatini - Aims partial training soon Malatini (ankle) is expected to partially resume training by the end of the week following his long term ankle injury, according to the club.

Impact Malatini underwent surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament earlier in the summer and was seen back on the grass working with the ball in mid June, an encouraging step in his recovery. His anticipated partial return to training marks further progress, and the club's medical staff will continue to build his fitness gradually as he targets full availability for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Mitchell Weiser - Set to partially resume training Weiser (knee) is expected to partially resume training by the end of the week following his long term injury, according to the club.

Impact Weiser made no appearances during last season after suffering an ACL injury in the preseason of 2025/26, and his upcoming partial return to training marks a significant step in his recovery. He has made 123 competitive appearances for Bremen since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, contributing 14 goals and 29 assists, and coach Daniel Thioune has described his return as almost like welcoming a new signing given the extended absence, with hopes he can work his way back to full fitness as the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season approaches.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Agu - Still dealing with muscular issues Agu (undisclosed) is still dealing with the muscular injury that affected him at the end of last season and is training individually during the first weeks of preseason ahead of th...

Impact Agu's continued absence from group training is a discouraging sign given the issue had already cost him three consecutive matches down the stretch of last season. His individual work suggests the recovery is taking longer than hoped, and his path back into full training will be worth monitoring closely as Werder Bremen prepares for the new campaign.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Dariusz Stalmach - Sidelined with ligament injury Stalmach will train indoors for the coming days due to a ligament injury and will not take part in team training, according to DeichStube.

Impact Stalmach joined Werder Bremen this summer from Magdeburg, and the club has not disclosed further details on the severity of the issue or a potential return date. The injury is a minor knee ligament issue with no structural damage, meaning an extended absence is not expected. The midfielder will continue his individual work as he awaits clearance to rejoin the group. Stalmach is expected to return to team training in the near term as his recovery progresses.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Skelly Alvero - Returns to Bremen after loan spell Alvero has returned to Werder Bremen after his loan at Amiens SC expired.

Impact The 24-year-old midfielder was loaned to Ligue 2 side Amiens in February after struggling for playing time in Bremen, but he did not become a regular starter at the club from northern France, and in the final two matchdays he did not feature at all as the team was relegated bottom of the table. Alvero has never previously trained under new head coach Daniel Thioune, so preseason could give him a chance to show himself to the new coach and prove his worth. Alvero's future at Werder remains unresolved. A sale or another loan remain possible and his contract in Bremen runs until 2028.

JULY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Luca Hocker - Signs first professional contract Hocker has signed his first professional contract with Werder Bremen, the club announced.

Impact Hocker, a 19-year-old right back, joined Werder's academy from VfL Osnabruck in July 2022. He was a regular starter as Werder won the U19 DFB Cup in 2024-25, and made the step up to the U23 side in the second half of last season, contributing one goal and one assist in 11 Regionalliga Nord appearances. head of professional football Peter Niemeyer said Hocker fits the club's strategy of developing young players with strong potential toward the Bundesliga squad, noting he has already shown his qualities in training sessions with the first team.

JULY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Schlager - Completes Werder Bremen transfer Schlager completed a permanent transfer from RB Salzburg to Werder Bremen on Friday.

Impact Schlager started all four of Austria's matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, conceding nine times and making 13 saves, although in that span he had to face both Argentina and Spain. Schlager has been RB Salzburg's first-choice goalkeeper for quite some time, and he's expected to have the same role at Bremen.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Oskar Wojcik - Completes Bremen move Wojcik signed with Werder Bremen on Thursday from Polish side KS Cracovia.

Impact Wojcik was dubbed "one of the most outstanding players in the Polish league last season" by the club's head of professional soccer, Peter Niemeyer. The 22-year-old defender, who has won one cap for Poland, should add depth at the back for the club and could fight for a starting role depending on how well he adjusts to life in the Bundesliga.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dawid Kownacki - Back with Werder Bremen Kownacki has returned to Werder Bremen after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Hertha Berlin.

Impact The 29-year-old striker had a decent, yet unspectacular, season with Hertha on loan -- he tallied six goals and added two assists across 24 appearances across all competitions. It remains to be seen if he'll play a role for Bremen in 2026/27, but at best, he could be used as depth piece upfront.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Mostly invisible in Spain clash Schmid created one scoring chance and had one cross (one on target) and one tackle (one won) in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to Spain.

Impact Schmid struggled to leave his mark on the game, as Austria mustered very little offense overall, particularly on his side of the pitch, and was yanked after an hour. He closes the World Cup with one goal and having recorded two key passes, two shots (zero on target) and five tackles (four won) in four showings.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Liimted impact vs. Algeria Schmid generated one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Algeria.

Impact Schmid has started all three games for Austria so far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he hasn't done much outside of scoring in the opener against Jordan. His impact was minimal in this draw and was subbed off at HT, but it wouldn't be surprising if he keeps his place in the lineup for the Round of 32 clash against Spain on Thursday.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Dariusz Stalmach - Signs for Werder Bremen Stalmach has joined Werder Bremen from Magdeburg, the club announced.

Impact Stalmach made 28 appearances across the second division, Regionalliga and DFB Pokal since joining Magdeburg in winter 2025, having previously developed in AC Milan's youth academy after starting his career at Gornik Zabrze. Sporting director Peter Niemeyer described him as an exciting and ambitious player with significant development potential, while coach Daniel Thioune praised his strong technical ability and expressed his eagerness to work with him. Stalmach expressed his excitement at the move, saying he cannot wait to play in the Bundesliga and at the Weserstadion.

JUNE 27 • ROTOWIRE

Yukinari Sugawara - Starts on right flank Sugawara registered one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Sweden.

Impact Sugawara would earn the start Thursday for the group stage as Ritsu Doan moved to a more attacking role, leaving the right flank open for taking. He would earn a shot on net and a few crosses, but was more helpful in the defense with his two tackles won and nine clearances. If Japan continues with Doan in an advanced role, Sugawara could see more time, although he is more likely to return to a bench role as he did in their opening two games.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Starts on Monday Schmid registered three tackles (two won) in Monday's 2-0 loss against Argentina.

Impact Schmid started again and provided ball-carrying ability by completing all three attempted dribbles. He won ten of 13 ground duels and repeatedly drew fouls (four fouls drawn) that relieved pressure on his team. He covered over eight kilometers and also recorded three tackles. He was replaced in the 78th minute by Patrick Wimmer. Schmid was unable to keep up with Facundo Medina's movement on the flank as the team press forced him into central areas.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Cedric Itten - Signs for Werder Bremen Itten has joined Werder Bremen on a free transfer from Fortuna Dusseldorf, the club announced.

Impact Itten is currently with the national team at the World Cup, bringing 16 caps and five goals for his country along with experience gained at FC Basel, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Glasgow Rangers, Greuther Furth and Young Boys Bern before his move to Dusseldorf, where he scored 16 goals in 32 competitive appearances. Sporting director Peter Niemeyer praised his experience and the qualities he can add to the squad, while head coach Daniel Thioune, who previously worked with Itten in Dusseldorf, described him as a physically robust penalty-box striker who knows where the goal is. Itten expressed his excitement at joining a club with a great tradition, citing his prior relationship with Thioune as a key factor in his decision.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Mitchell Weiser - Signs contract extension Weiser has signed a contract extension with Werder Bremen after his previous deal was set to expire on June 30, the club announced.

Impact Weiser made no appearances during the 2025/26 season after suffering an ACL injury in preseason, but the club expressed continued confidence in his quality heading into the new campaign. Weiser has made 123 competitive appearances for Bremen since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, contributing 14 goals and 29 assists, and head coach Daniel Thioune described him as almost like a new signing given his extended absence, expressing hope he returns fully fit. Weiser himself expressed excitement about beginning his recovery journey anew with preseason training and getting back in front of the club's supporters after missing the entire campaign.

JUNE 20 • ROTOWIRE

Former Leipzig coach Werner unhappy after his surprise dismissal, omits Klopp in letter to players

Former Leipzig coach Ole Werner is unhappy he wasn’t given the chance to say goodbye to staff after his surprise dismissal from the club

JUNE 19 • Associated Press

Markus Kolke - Signs contract extension Kolke signed a contract extension with SV Werder Bremen, though no details were given on the length of the new contract, according to the club.

Impact Kolke has yet to feature for the first team since joining the Werder Bremen from Hansa Rostock in summer 2024, but his impact stretches well beyond matchdays. Goalkeeping coach Christian Vander said the veteran keeper plays a vital role behind the scenes, bringing experience to training that benefits the whole group. He praised Kolke's full commitment in every session and the thorough preparation and analysis behind his work, describing him as a role model for the squad's younger players and a key presence who maintains a high standard within the goalkeeping unit.

JUNE 17 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Excellent goal against Jordan Schmid scored a goal on his lone shot across 83 minutes during Austria's 3-1 win Tuesday against Jordan.

Impact As expected, the right flank of Austria manager Ralf Rangnick's 4-2-3-1 formation primarily included Schmid, who was not its focal point offensively. Despite limited opportunities, he made them count, highlighted by Austria's first goal this World Cup. Schmid proceeded to not do much thereafter, which may explain why he was subbed off for Patrick Wimmer. If their latest game is any indication, most of Austria's offense will be through Marcel Sabitzer, Phillipp Mwene and the left flank, especially if right-back Stefan Posch (face) is out long-term. Nonetheless, despite stiff competition from Wimmer and others, it seems Schmid has his starting role on lock.

JUNE 17 • ROTOWIRE

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Former Leipzig coach Werner unhappy after his surprise dismissal, omits Klopp in letter to players