Premier League duo Newcastle United and Southampton miss out as Amos Pieper joins Bundesliga newcomers Werder Bremen on a free transfer, confirmed via the club’s official website.
If 2021/22 was the season of the upstart underdogs in Germany – Union Berlin, Freiburg and Koln qualifying for Europe, Mainz and Bochum flying high – then 2022/23 is already starting to feel like a return to the old days.
Schalke are back in the big time after one season away. So to 2004 champions Werder Bremen. The fallen giants of Hamburg, meanwhile, face Hertha Berlin in a relegation play-off tonight as they too look to join Schalke and Bremen on the biggest stage.
Pieper, too, will be gracing the top-flight next term.
After Arminia Bielefeld were condemned to the second-tier following a final day draw with RB Leipzig, the former Germany U21 international has joined Werder Bremen on a free transfer.
Amos Pieper joins Werder Bremen
“Although he is only 24 years old, Amos has made over 100 appearances in professional football and has gained lots of experience in the Bundesliga over the last two years,” says Werder head of football, Clemens Fritz.
“We are confident that he can make an impact straight away and we are delighted that he chose to come to Werder.”
According to The Mirror, both Southampton and Newcastle showed an interest in the free-agent. Chelsea, meanwhile, had Pieper on a list of candidates to succeed Antonio Rudger at Stamford Bridge.
But the former Borussia Dortmund youngster wasted no time putting pen to paper with Werder Bremen, having been won over during negotiations with the green-clad club.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
“I felt good here and felt like it was the right fit immediately from my first meetings with Clemens Fritz and (sporting director) Frank Baumann, and it’s a feeling that continued during the talks with (coach) Ole Werner,” Pieper explains.
“There’s no doubt about it. The plans the club have set for me, and the opportunities here appealed to me right away. They left me with a good feeling. That’s why I choose Werder. The photos of the promotion celebrations and what was happening in Bremen also helped to support my decision.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
