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Ex-Red Naby Keita has found a new club after his nightmare season with Werder Bremen.
Liverpool secured Keita’s services in a unique transfer arrangement, agreeing to a deal worth £52.75m in the summer of 2017, with the player joining a year later in 2018.
The excitement was palpable when the Guinean midfielder was handed the iconic number 8 shirt by Steven Gerrard himself, symbolizing the club’s high expectations.
The enthusiasm was well-founded, given Keita’s impressive track record in Germany. During his time at RB Leipzig, he had established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers, earning a place in the league’s Team of the Season for 2016/17.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Keita’s time at Anfield was significantly hampered by injuries. The numbers tell a sobering story: he missed 73 games due to various injuries during his Liverpool career
Of his 76 Premier League appearances, only 48 were starts – a disappointing return for a player who arrived for such a significant fee.
After departing Liverpool in 2023, Keita joined Werder Bremen on a free transfer with hopes of revitalizing his career.
But his issues did not stop there, with disciplinary concerns adding to his injury problems.
Naby Keita finds new club
The situation with Werder Bremen reached its breaking point in April 2024 when Keita refused to board the team bus after learning he wouldn’t be in the starting lineup in a Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen.
This act of defiance resulted in an immediate suspension and a substantial fine reportedly exceeding €100,000
The relationship has deteriorated to the point where Keita has been frozen out of the first team, placed on an individual training regime, and told to find a new club
Despite being only 29 years old and having two years remaining on his contract, the club has decided not to register him for the 2024/25 Bundesliga season.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the former Liverpool man has joined Ferencvaros on loan.
The 29-year-old has already been spotted in the VIP sector at a recent Ferencvaros match.
The club currently sits second in the Hungarian top flight, four points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
The side ranks 53rd in UEFA’s club rankings, representing a significant step down for a player who once commanded a £53 million transfer fee.
This move represents an opportunity for Keita to restart his career and find regular playing time after a difficult period in German football.
🚨🇭🇺 Naby Keita to Ferencvaros, here we go! Deal sealed for former Liverpool midfielder joining Hungarian side from Werder Bremen.
One year loan with buy option included, medical completed. pic.twitter.com/J8mZitydHj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2024
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