Naby Keïta Returns To Germany With Werder Bremen On A Free Transfer After Leaving Liverpool.

Naby Keita has returned to Germany to join Werder Bremen after the expiration of his contract at Anfield. 

Liverpool had paid £52million to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2017 for the signing of the Guinea international who was then rated as one of the most exciting young midfield talent in Germany, and even had to wait and allow him play out the 2017-18 season with the German club such was their desire to bring him to Anfield at the time.

Keita finally arrived in Merseyside the following season with huge expectations, that he was the first player to wear the No 8 shirt for the Reds after legend Steven Gerrard.

However, he struggled to get to grips with the physicality of the Premier League and missed large amounts of time with a series of injuries. 

The 28-year-old featured just 13 times this season, was left out of the Champions League squad largely due to injury, and started only two Premier League matches.

He featured 129 times in five seasons for the Reds, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists.

During his time at Anfield, he helped Jurgen Klopp's side win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the Community Shield.

Liverpool now feeling an overwhelming sense frustration, decided earlier in the year that they wished to move Keita on due to his wretched fitness record.

His departure comes shortly after Liverpool completed the £35m signing of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton on Thursday.

The Bundesliga side announced Keita's arrival on a free transfer on Friday, which sees him return to Germany after his previous spell with RB Leipzig. 

Bremen will hope the midfielder’s return to the Bundesliga will bring a change of luck after scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 58 matches for Leipzig before his move to Liverpool.

He has signed a three-year deal which runs up until June 2026.

"I'm really excited for my new challenge here in Bremen... Said Keita after the transfer.

"I was impressed by what the club told me about the setup here and Werder's style of play. The coach gave me a really good feeling and showed how I can help the team."

Head of scouting for Weirder Bremen Clemens Fritz added;“A number of clubs are obviously going to be interested when a player like Naby Keita is available on a free transfer,” 

“We now want to get him back to his best.”

Keita is not the only midfielder to have left Liverpool this summer with James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also departing. 

Keita was given a guard of honour following Liverpool's final home game of the season against Aston Villa and presented with gifts to commemorate his time at the club by CEO Billy Hogan and Kenny Dalglish.