Leonardo Bittencourt will leave Werder Bremen next summer when his contract expires. Will there be a sensational move for the 31-year-old?
“Bild” speculates that Bittencourt could be drawn back to his training club Energie Cottbus if the Lausitzer team manages promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga and the man from Bremen is prepared to make major salary cuts.
Cottbus head coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz would welcome the veteran with open arms. “So if Leo can really imagine ending his career with us, he is welcome at any time,” said the 60-year-old. “I would even pick him up in the car. That would save him travel costs and I would give him and his family warm food twice a day. Otherwise I think it will be financially complicated. And Leo certainly has other opportunities to play at a high level.”
According to the report, there is said to be MLS interest in Bittencourt.
Werder Bremen announced the end of their collaboration with the long-time professional last week. Managing director Clemens Fritz confirmed an “open and honest exchange, at the end of which there was a mutual decision that we would separate in the summer.”
Fritz added: “We are convinced that he will give his all to Werder until the last matchday.”
180 competitive games for Werder Bremen
Bittencourt moved from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to Osterdeich in the summer of 2019. In the Werder jersey he has 180 competitive games (20 goals, 15 assists).
“This time at Werder is and was something very special for me, but I feel that in the summer it is time for me to take on a new challenge again,” said Bittencourt about the separation.
The Leipzig native left Energie Cottbus in 2012 to move to Borussia Dortmund. He also played for Hannover 96 and 1. FC Köln.