Patrick Erras will not be joining Leeds United or Queens Park Rangers this summer, announcing his move to Werder Bremen via the Bundesliga outfit’s official website.
After 13 years in the iconic, burnt red of Nurnburg, the 6ft 5ins giant has finally said goodbye to one of the most historic clubs in the country.
Despite holding talks over a move to QPR and Premier League newcomers Leeds according to the Mail in June, Erras has instead opted to stay in Germany – albeit with a club almost 600 miles north of his Nuremburg home.
““I had 13 amazing years in Nurnberg, but I realised it was time for a change,” Erras says after helping the nine-time German champions avoid relegation to the third tier in 2019/20.
“Once Werder expressed interest in me, I knew I wanted to come here and I’m glad that the deal is done.
“Werder is a traditional club that has just had a tough season. I think everybody wants to change that and I can sense the unique spirit here. I want to play my part in the club’s improvement.”
Like Nurnburg, Werder Bremen were forced to rely on a play-off to avoid relegation, narrowly retaining their Bundesliga status after beating Eintracht Braunschweig over two legs.
And highly-rated head coach Florian Kohfeldt will be hoping that Erras can add some much-needed steel at the heart of an underperforming midfield, highlighting the fearsome physical strength and impressive passing range of his new signing.
Erras was, until Thursday at least, a free agent.
Yet he is not the only bargain signing on Leeds’ radar with the Mail reporting that Victor Orta is looking to hijack Porto’s £20,000-a-week deal for ex-Reading forward Danny Loader.
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