Why I joined Werder Bremen after failed Milan move — Victor Boniface

Nigerian forward Victor Boniface joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan deal. The 24-year-old, who has endured a difficult summer, is looking to revive his career after a series of setbacks, including a failed medical that scuppered a potential move to AC Milan and a collapsed transfer to Saudi Arabia.

The 24-year-old, who has endured a difficult summer, is looking to revive his career after a series of setbacks, including a failed medical that scuppered a potential move to AC Milan and a collapsed transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Boniface was full of praise for Werder Bremen, revealing that the club’s swift action made his decision an easy one.

"Everything just happened so quickly, which I was pleased about," he said to the Club's official website.

"I had some great conversations with the people at Werder, which gave me a good feeling about the move. I’m so happy to be here.”

The striker's move was also made easier by a familiar face in the dressing room. He credits his former Union-Saint Gilloise teammate Senne Lynen, who is already at Werder, for helping to facilitate the transfer.

“The last few weeks haven’t been easy for me. The people here at Werder told me their exact plans and it didn’t take them long to convince me. I was on board immediately and I am very pleased that it has come to be,” Boniface explained.

He shared a text message exchange with Lynen, adding, "Senne texted me four days ago just asking if I was alright and if there was a possibility of this move happening. I texted him back and said it would be difficult. I texted him again two days ago to tell him that things had changed slightly. He’s a good friend of mine, and I had a great time with him in Saint-Gilloise."

After a year of struggles with injuries and a stalled career at Leverkusen, the move to Werder Bremen offers Boniface a fresh start and a chance to return to his best form.