Werder Bremen sign Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita

Werder Bremen have announced the signing of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita on a free transfer.

The Premier League giants confirmed last month that the 28-year-old’s contract would not be renewed, leading to his exit at the end of the season.

Keita endured another frustrating season with the Merseyside outing, injuries contributing to just three starts and five substitute outings being made in the league

However, once his availability became known, the Guinea international was not short of interest, the majority of it coming on the continent.

Rather than take extra time to assess his options, Keita has taken the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.

Between 2016 and 2018, Keita enjoyed the best spell of his career at RB Leipzig, contributing 17 goals and 15 assists from 71 games in all competitions.

Keita will now be tasked with trying to help Werder Bremen break back into the top half of Germany’s top flight with the view of earning an eventual return to European football.

Speaking on the deal, Bremen’s head of scouting and professional football Clemens Fritz said: “It’s obvious that there are many interested parties when a player like Naby Keita is on the market on a free transfer. That’s why we’re very happy that Naby chose us despite several offers and that we were able to convince him of Werder.

“He will be a great enrichment for the team with his qualities. Of course, we already know Naby from his time in the Bundesliga and we have made his way in the Premier League.

“An injury threw him back at the beginning of the current season, which meant he didn’t get the playing time he wanted. We want to bring him back to his top level now.”

Head coach Ole Werner added: “Naby is a strong midfielder who plays and runs well and who sets us up much more flexibly. He exudes a goal threat from midfield, but is also a good preparer. He is for our squad an important building block in our central axis.”

Keita departs Liverpool having chipped in with 11 goals and seven assists from his 129 appearances, helping Liverpool win six pieces of silverware during his stay.

Although he can count Premier League and Champions League trophies among his collection, Keita played fewer than 30 games in three of his five seasons at Liverpool.-sportsmole