‘Victor is responsible for that’ - Werder Bremen chief praises Boniface for quick recovery

There is renewed optimism at Werder Bremen as Nigerian striker Victor Boniface edges closer to a return from a serious knee injury.

What once looked like a season-ending setback is now turning into one of the club’s most encouraging stories.

Boniface, who joined Bremen on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, underwent knee surgery in January after suffering cartilage damage. Initial assessments suggested he would miss the rest of the campaign, but his recovery has exceeded expectations.

Club chief Peter Niemeyer praised the striker’s determination and commitment during rehabilitation. “We knew what kind of shape he was in. He now needs to work on his fitness, and we are helping him with that. But Victor is primarily responsible for that,” Niemeyer said.

He further highlighted the progress made by the 25-year-old, adding: “He has recovered from the surgery better than predicted. His knee is stable, and his rehabilitation has gone well.”

Boniface’s return to training has come as a surprise given earlier fears, with the forward already moving from individual sessions into partial team training, a clear sign that his comeback is on track.

While the recovery has been impressive, there is still work to be done before Boniface can feature competitively again.

Niemeyer acknowledged this, stating: “Of course, he is currently not physically fit and unable to play in the Bundesliga. However, he wants to help the team again.”

The focus now is on rebuilding his match sharpness after months on the sidelines. “We are now working intensively with him to achieve this goal,” Niemeyer added.

With the season entering a crucial phase, Boniface’s potential return could provide a timely attacking boost for Bremen as they push toward their objectives.