Benfica loan canceled
©IMAGO
Last summer, Werder Bremen negotiated the transfer of Issa Kaboré (23) with Manchester City, but the right-back was transferred to Benfica in Portugal. Six months later, the Greens and Whites were able to convince the Burkinabè international: he is on loan until the end of the season. Previously, Kaboré’s loan to Benfica was canceled due to lack of playing time. According to information from « Bild », the Bremen company was unable to obtain a purchase option.
His transfer to Portugal did not bring the expected playing time. Kaboré played a total of 193 minutes in seven competitive matches for Benfica. The Dane Alexander Bah (27 years old) was favored for his position. For the 23-year-old defender, who left for Manchester for 4.5 million euros in the summer of 2020, this is the sixth loan after KV Mechelen, Troyes, Olympique de Marseille, Luton Town and Benfica. The previous season he made 24 appearances in the Premier League for the Hatters. He made the Citizens squad twice before and after without being used.
On the Weser side, Kaboré will be an alternative to Mitchell Weiser (30 years old), who is the best defender in the Bundesliga in this category with five assists. Werder coach Ole Werner also tested Weiser behind the leaders in the first half of the season, so the signing of Kaboré makes the team more variable. Other full-backs in the team include Derrick Köhn (25), on loan from Galatasaray, Felix Agu (25), currently injured, and Olivier Deman (24). The latter only stayed on the pitch for 79 minutes this season and was released for talks with another club.
Werder Bremen ensures variability with Kaboré loan
“Issa is a very interesting player who was able to gain experience in various international leagues in his younger years. Due to the imminent move of Olivier Deman and the absence of Félix Agu, we had the opportunity to loan Issa on a short-term basis until the end of the season. It fits our requirement profile because it can be used flexibly and can play on both sides. We want to ensure that all positions continue to be filled twice. We are very pleased that the loan was granted at such short notice,” explained Peter Niemeyer, Licensing Manager.
Kaboré is a real godsend for Bremen. As ‘Bild’ reports, no loan fee goes to Manchester and the Citizens also pay the majority of the salary. He is the fifth newcomer to Werder this season and the second on loan after Köhn. The Bremen team has so far invested a total of 6.8 million euros in the squad.
“I’m really looking forward to my new role at Werder and the Bundesliga. Werder is having a very good season so far. I want to do my part to build on the good first half of the season and get to know the club, the fans and the city,” Kaboré said.