Werder Bremen: Clemens Fritz rules out the return of Zlatko Junuzovic

Don’t follow Frings, Kruse & Co.

A first version of this article was published on March 27 at 2:16 p.m. and was then supplemented with statements by Clemens Fritz.

After four years, Zlatko Junuzovic’s time at Red Bull Salzburg will come to an end next summer. The 34-year-old is available on a free transfer and wants to continue his career. The Austrian had the door for a return to ex-club Werder Bremen in conversation with the “Image” left open – only a little bit later Clemens Fritz, head of the licensing area and the scouting department of the Green-Whites, closed them again.

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	Z Junuzovic
	Central midfield
RB Salzburg 11% Werder Bremen Bundesliga 2nd Bundesliga

“It’s not that long ago that I played in Bremen. There’s definitely still a lot of Werder in me. I just had a very formative time. My farewell was also great in the end. The support from the club and the fans was great for me back then,” Junuzovic said and did not deny a possible return. However, Fritz stated: “He did very well in Austria. But he comes from a long injury and the intensity in Germany is very high. We like Zladdi and we know how important he was to us. But a commitment is not an issue.” The right-footed player had been struggling with the consequences of a heel injury since the beginning of the season and only made five appearances (4 assists).

The central midfielder would not have been the first player to be drawn back to the Weser a few years after leaving. Nine professionals have returned to Werder since 2000, including Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski, Max Kruse and most recently, in 2019, Niclas Füllkrug. After the first farewell in 2001, record goalscorer Claudio Pizarro even moved to Bremen three times before ending his career in 2020.

Zlatko Junuzovic on return to Werder Bremen: “Anything is possible”

Junuzovic came to Bremen from Austria Wien in January 2012 for 800,000 euros and subsequently developed into a leading player and captain. In 198 appearances up to 2018, he was directly involved in 75 goals (22 goals, 53 assists) and played his way into the hearts of the supporters. “The fans in Bremen are the greatest help the club can have. That’s a very big plus. This great atmosphere always helped us back then,” emphasized the midfield strategist, who says he follows every game at the club.

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Looking ahead to his future, Junuzovic explains: “Anything is possible, even if there is nothing concrete at the moment. I will discuss with my family what is best for us and our two children. I won’t rule anything out. I’ll take my time and we’ll see what happens in the end.”

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