In a recent interview, Naby Keita opened up about his move to Werder Bremen and how things have taken an unexpected turn for him there.
Despite Bremen II sitting in fifth place in the Regionalliga Nord, the star player hasn’t played a single minute or even trained with the team. After an incident on the team bus in April, Keita was sidelined by head coach Ole Werner, and although his contract runs until 2026, his future at the club looks uncertain.
“We’ll need to talk about the bus incident one day, but anyone who knows me knows that I’m a professional and not undisciplined,” Keita shared in an interview with The Guardian. “Still, I apologized to the team at the end of last season because we’re all human, and nobody is perfect. Everywhere I’ve been—Salzburg, Leipzig, Liverpool—I’ve always aimed to set a good example.”
Keita reflected on his move to Bremen with some disappointment. “I could have stayed at Liverpool, but after five years I wanted more playing time. I had several offers, but I chose Bremen because I already knew Germany, and the coach and management convinced me,” he explained. “If I was just after money, I could’ve signed somewhere else.”
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Unfortunately, injury problems and other factors meant his transfer didn’t pan out as expected. Now, both sides are considering the best time to part ways, with the next opportunity likely in the winter transfer window. Until then, Keita is training with Bremen’s U-23 squad, focusing on staying in shape and helping the younger players.
“I’m just waiting to see how things turn out,” said the Guinean international, who recently carried his country’s flag at the Olympic Games, a proud moment for him. “Physically, I feel great at 29. I’ll keep playing as long as my body holds up. When I feel I can’t keep up anymore, that’s when I’ll stop—but for now, I still have a few more good years left in me.”