Naby Keita: Record transfer in Bremen ends with another retirement

Naby Keita: Record transfer in Bremen ends with another retirement

Naby Keita, the 30-year-old former FC Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool FC player, faces an uncertain future. His time at Werder Bremen seems to have run out, as Peter Niemeyer, the head of the professional football department, explains. According to laola1.at, the midfielder will no longer play for Bremen.

Keita's loan deal with Ferencvaros Budapest ends in December 2023. Werder Bremen are ruling out a return for the former Guinea national team captain after he failed to impress during his short time at the club. Keita arrived in Bremen as a free agent in the summer of 2023, but struggled to establish himself.

A bumpy journey

Since his arrival, Keita has spent most of his time on the bench, averaging just 107 minutes in five competitive games. An unparalleled misconduct: He refused to travel to an away game against Bayer 04 Leverkusen because he was not in the starting line-up, which further shook the club's trust.

Keita is currently playing on loan at Ferencvaros, where he has been in action since January 2025. He recorded two assists in eight games. The Hungarian club has a purchase option if the cooperation proves fruitful. But the past casts a shadow over his future, not only because of the lack of playing minutes, but also because of a long injury history. According to transfermarkt.us, Keita has already missed 140 days this season due to six injuries, missing 18 games.

Career and future prospects

Born on February 10, 1995 in Conakry, Guinea, Keita started his career in 2013 with FC Istres in France. After stints at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, which brought him numerous titles, he finally found his way to Liverpool in 2017. There he celebrated numerous successes, including winning the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League. However, his path wasn't always straight, and his fitness continued to take its toll. Several injuries and a court ruling in 2017 for providing false documents - a fine of 250,000 euros - led to a turbulent career.

The affected fans and experts are now asking themselves what will happen next for the talented player. Keita, who also plays an important role for the Guinea national team and took part in the African Championships and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, now has to work on being at his best. His next steps could be crucial for the future in an increasingly competitive environment.