Werder Bremen has announced the loan return of former academy player Eren Dinkçi. The 24-year-old attacker will play for his hometown club for the 2023-2024 season after joining on a loan deal from SC Freiburg. According to Get German Football News, this agreement does not include a purchase option or an obligation to buy. Reports suggest that Werder will pay Freiburg a loan fee in the low six-figure range. Dinkçi remains under contract with Freiburg for an additional two years.

The move marks a homecoming for Dinkçi, which began to take shape earlier this month. GGFN reported last week that Werder initiated discussions with Freiburg to bring Dinkçi back to Weserstadion. Although Freiburg initially preferred to structure the loan with an obligation to buy, the clubs ultimately agreed on a straightforward one-year loan.

Dinkçi, born in Bremen, joined Werder’s U19 team from SC Borgfeld in 2019. He made his Bundesliga debut a year later and has accumulated 50 senior appearances for Werder before leaving for Freiburg permanently in 2024. His breakthrough came during a loan spell with Heidenheim in the 2023/24 season, where he scored ten Bundesliga goals, helping establish his reputation as a promising young attacker in the league.

Freiburg subsequently acquired Dinkçi from Werder for approximately €5 million. However, his time with Freiburg did not unfold as anticipated, as he struggled to maintain his Heidenheim form during his first season at Freiburg, leading to a decline in his role within the team’s attacking lineup. GGFN examined his challenging stint at Freiburg earlier this year when several Bundesliga teams began to explore loan options for him.

Freiburg eventually sent Dinkçi back to Heidenheim for the latter half of last season. This return revitalized his performance, as he contributed three goals and three assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances, despite Heidenheim ultimately facing relegation. Werder now hopes that the familiar environment can facilitate another career resurgence for Dinkçi.

The Bremen native offers head coach Daniel Thioune significant tactical versatility, being capable of playing on either wing, behind a striker, or as a mobile centre-forward. However, Dinkçi may need some time before making his competitive debut. Currently, he is addressing muscular issues and will undertake an individualized training program. The DFB-Pokal match against Lüneburger SK and the Bundesliga opener against his parent club may come too soon for him.

Statements on Eren Dinkçi’s Werder return

“Eren is a Bremen lad and knows the club very well, so he won’t need much time to settle in,” said Werder’s head of professional football, Peter Niemeyer. “He has gained a lot of experience since leaving Bremen and has already made more than 100 Bundesliga appearances. He will help our team both on and off the pitch.”

“I already looked very closely at Eren during my time in Düsseldorf and am convinced of his abilities,” added Werder head coach Daniel Thioune. “Quality is always welcome, and we know about Eren’s quality. In this league, pace can sometimes decide the result.”

“Bremen is my hometown. Werder is the club where I became a professional,” said Dinkçi. “I’m therefore very happy to be playing at the Weserstadion and for Werder again. I’m really looking forward to my new teammates and our fans at the first home game and will give everything to have a successful season with Werder.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

Werder Bremen have officially confirmed the return of former academy attacker Eren Dinkçi. The 24-year-old joins his hometown club on a season-long loan from SC Freiburg. As Get German Football News reported over the weekend, the agreement contains neither a purchase option nor an obligation to buy. Werder will reportedly pay Freiburg a loan fee in the low six-figure range. Dinkçi remains under contract in Breisgau for another two years.

The move completes a homecoming that began taking shape earlier this month. GGFN reported last week that Werder had opened direct talks with Freiburg over bringing Dinkçi back to the Weserstadion. Freiburg initially preferred a temporary arrangement containing an obligation to buy, but the two clubs ultimately settled on a straight one-year loan.

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Dinkçi was born in Bremen and joined Werder’s U19 ranks from SC Borgfeld in 2019. He made his Bundesliga debut the following year and accumulated 50 senior appearances for his hometown club before leaving permanently in 2024. His breakthrough nevertheless came away from Bremen. A 2023/24 loan spell with promoted Heidenheim yielded ten Bundesliga goals and established Dinkçi as one of the league’s more intriguing young attacking players.

Freiburg subsequently paid Werder approximately €5m for his services. The move to Breisgau did not work out as planned. Dinkçi struggled to reproduce his Heidenheim form during his first Freiburg campaign and gradually slipped down the attacking pecking order. GGFN examined his difficult Freiburg spell in January when several Bundesliga clubs began exploring a loan.

Freiburg eventually sent Dinkçi back to Heidenheim for the second half of last season. The return helped revive the attacker. Dinkçi supplied three goals and three assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances despite Heidenheim ultimately failing in their relegation battle. Werder are now hoping a second familiar environment can produce another career upswing.

The Bremen native gives head coach Daniel Thioune considerable tactical flexibility. Dinkçi can operate on either wing, behind a striker or as a mobile centre-forward. Dinkçi’s competitive debut may nevertheless have to wait. Dinkçi is currently dealing with muscular problems and will initially complete an individual training program. The DFB-Pokal fixture against Lüneburger SK and Bundesliga opener against his parent club may both come too soon.

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Statements on Eren Dinkçi’s Werder return

“Eren is a Bremen lad and knows the club very well, so he won’t need much time to settle in,” Werder head of professional football Peter Niemeyer noted in a club statement. “He has gained a lot of experience since leaving Bremen and has already made more than 100 Bundesliga appearances. He will help our team both on and off the pitch.”

“I already looked very closely at Eren during my time in Düsseldorf and am convinced of his abilities,” Werder head coach Daniel Thioune added. “Quality is always welcome, and we know about Eren’s quality. In this league, pace can sometimes decide the result.”

“Bremen is my hometown. Werder is the club where I became a professional,” Dinkçi said. “I’m therefore very happy to be playing at the Weserstadion and for Werder again. I’m really looking forward to my new teammates and our fans at the first home game and will give everything to have a successful season with Werder.”

GGFN | Peter Weis