Naby Keita is ALREADY injured at his new club Werder Bremen, with the former Liverpool midfielder sidelined ‘for a few weeks’ after suffering a kidnapping punch during warm-up before a friendly
Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been injured a month after signing for Werder Bremen.
Keita joined the German club on a free transfer last month after the end of his contract at Anfield.
He was scheduled to play in an exhibition game against Oldenburg, but withdrew from the game, although he received a knock from a kidnapper during the warm-up.
Nick Woltemade replaced him in the starting line-up shortly before kick-off, as Bremen won the match 3–1.
They tweeted to confirm the 28-year-old’s injury and wish him ‘a speedy recovery’.
Naby Keïta suffered an adductor injury during the warm-up before the game against VfB Oldenburg and will be out for several weeks.
I wish you a speedy recovery, Naby #werder pic.twitter.com/nHzRrDImqI
— SV Werder Bremen NL (@werderbremen_en) July 17, 2023
The timing was unfortunate for Keita, who told the club’s website earlier this week: “I think just one game a week will help me.
‘The workload here is not as high as in England. Hopefully I can play my best every week and help us be successful.’
Keita never really cemented his place with the Reds, but made 129 appearances and picked up a Champions League winner’s medal.
His bit-part tole was largely defined by injuries, as he missed much of the 2019–20 season with a muscle injury.
The Guinea international received a commemorative poster after the last game of his spell at the Southampton club last season.