Midfielder, Naby Keita has left Liverpool for Bundesliga’s Werder Bremen on a free transfer.
Keita’s move brings his five-year stint at Anfield to a close in which he has scored 11 goals in 129 appearances, whilst helping the club win Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles.
In a short statement, Liverpool commented: “Everyone at Liverpool FC wishes Naby well at his new club.”
Manager, Jurgen Klopp described Keita as “an exceptional footballer,” despite injuries limiting his ability to achieve his maximum potential.
Klopp went on to single out Keita’s 15-second goal in a 5-0 home win over Huddersfield as his favourite moment, as he explained: “For sure [against] Huddersfield, a very early goal in the game – a high press, going there and going between and finishing the situation off.
“It was a high-press situation and in the end Naby finished it off. It must have been at that time one of the really earliest Premier League goals I think, that’s at least how it is in my mind.”
Klopp also joked about Keita’s celebrations as he continued: “A lot of other goals [were] fantastic shots, funny celebrations when everybody looked really surprised – Naby, this little man shooting like a real thunderbolt and you see him just standing there and smiling. It was absolutely great.”
Confirmation of Keita’s move to Werder Bremen comes just one day after Liverpool signed Alexis Mac Alllister from Brighton.
“good feeling”
Keita has described his move to Werder Bremen as a “good feeling”, having previously played in Germany’s Bundesliga with RB Leipzig between 2016 – 2018.
The Guinea international added that he was “impressed” with Werder Bremen’s setup plus style of play for “a special club”, as he believes that their “philosophy will be a good match for me, so this is the right step for my career.”
Werder Bremen’s Head of scouting and professional football, Clemens Fritz meanwhile is “really pleased” to secure Keita.
“His qualities will massively strengthen our team,” added Fritz who is aware of the midfielder from his time at RB Leipzig and is now eager to get the 28 year-old “back to his best.”
Head Coach, Ole Werner added that Keita’s signing opens up more tactical opportunities whilst benefitting his squad, as he said: “Naby is a technically gifted and hard-running midfielder, who will provide us with lots more flexibility.
“He is dangerous in front of goal and can also provide assists too. He will be an important figure in the centre of the pitch for our squad.
“He played in a Champions League final last year and has so much experience on the international stage, which our team will only benefit from. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
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