Manchester City defender Issa Kabore has joined Bundesliga club Werder Bremen on loan for the rest of the season.
The 23-year-old, who is yet to make a single senior appearance for Pep Guardiola's side since joining the club in 2020, moves to Germany following a frustrating temporary spell at Benfica which was cut short.
Kabore was limited to just two starts and five substitute appearances for Benfica across all competitions during the first half of this season, playing for only eight minutes across three substitute outings in the Primeira Liga.
The Burkina Faso international is now looking forward to representing a "big club" in the form of Werder Bremen, who confirmed their first signing of the January transfer window on Monday.
"I'm really, really happy to be here," Kabore told the club's official website. "For me, it wasn't a hard decision, since Werder Bremen are a good team. I want to have fun playing football with the lads here.
"Werder are a big club that play in a very good league. It's really important for me and my development.
Issa Kabore has left Benfica and joined Werder Bremen on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2025
Best of luck, Issa 🩵 pic.twitter.com/ZsbDtMk3YN
Kabore ready to help Werder Bremen and "have fun"
"The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. I like how the fans here and at Werder always create a really good atmosphere. The club feels like a family, which is also really important to me.
"The club has been interested in me for a while now and, because of that, I've watched a few matches since the start of the season. I want to help the team and have fun playing football together."
Kabore has now been sent out on loan by Man City for the sixth time having previously experienced spells with French trio Mechelen, Troyes and Marseille before making 24 Premier League appearances on loan at Luton Town last season.
Asked if it has been difficult to adapt to different styles in different countries, Kabore confidently said: "No, it's not difficult. It's good that I can get experience here."
© Imago
Kabore yet to speak with Tapsoba after completing Bundesliga move
Kabore has also confirmed that he is yet to speak about his move to the Bundesliga with international teammate Edmond Tapsoba, who has represented Bayer Leverkusen since January 2020.
"No, I didn't speak with him. I've watched a lot of his matches, though," said Kabore. "That's how I know that the standard of the Bundesliga is very good."
Kabore could be available to make his debut for Werder Bremen when they travel to RB Leipzig for their first Bundesliga fixture since the German winter break on Sunday.
Managed by Ole Werner, Werder Bremen currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga table after 15 matches, just two points behind Eintracht Frankfurt in third place.
Oliver Thomas
