Werder Bremen Regret Boniface Gamble Amid Injury Struggles

Werder Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz has admitted that the club’s decision to sign Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has not worked out as planned.

Boniface joined Bremen on loan from Bayer Leverkusen after a proposed transfer to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns over his fitness.

However, his time at the Weser Stadium has been marred by recurring injuries and poor form, with the striker registering just two assists in 11 league appearances.

Speaking to FAZ and quoted via Deichstube, Fritz explained that the move was part of a broader developmental strategy aimed at nurturing young striker Keke Topp into a consistent first-team option, while relying on Boniface’s quality to provide depth and competition.

‘Victor wouldn’t play 34 games, that was clear to us,’ Fritz said. ‘Therefore, our thinking was: if we develop Keke Topp, but have the quality in Victor to share the playing time, then it could work. In hindsight, that was a miscalculation.’

Boniface recently returned to training after recovering from a serious knee injury that had threatened to rule him out for the remainder of the season.

The Nigerian international will now be aiming to regain full fitness and push for a return to action as Bremen continue their campaign.