Johannes Eggestein is one of the biggest up and coming talents at Werder and is staying Green-White until 2019! The 18-year-old, who was crowned top scorer in the last three years in the U17 as well as the U19 Bundesliga, signed his first professional contract on Thursday. WERDER.DE went for a walk along the River Weser with the youngster, visited his current accommodation and discussed his aims.
WERDER.DE: Congratulations on your contract, Johannes! What ultimately made you decide to stay at Werder?
Johannes Eggestein: “What proved decisive in the end is the excellent sporting perspectives here and I can develop well in the course of the next few years. The Werder way, as it is always described, completely suits me. Frank Baumann has made this all clear and said exactly what he sees for me in the next few years. That convinced me. I’m also obviously close to my family.”
WERDER.DE: What are you hoping to achieve at Werder?
Johannes Eggestein: “First of all, it’s about making the step up from the youth ranks to the first team and developing further, especially physically. I know from my brother that it’s quite an adjustment. He has shared lots of his experiences with me. I would like to establish myself in the team, gain experience and make the most of it.”
WERDER.DE: You’ve mentioned Frank Baumann and your brother - both of whom were involved in your decision to sign the contract extension. What role did Frank Baumann play?
Johannes Eggestein: “We were already quite a way into negotiations but Frank Baumann sought multiple discussions with me and explained exactly what he and Werder Bremen envisaged. That ultimately led to me deciding to stay at Werder.”
WERDER.DE: And your brother?
Johannes Eggestein: “He stayed out of it. He is obviously a player and a big fan of Werder but he didn’t try to influence me. Subconsciously perhaps... ”
WERDER.DE: There’ll possibly be an Eggestein-Eggestein twin room for pre-season training…
Johannes Eggestein (laughs): “No, no. I’m already looking for accommodation and am looking to live close to my brother so we can sometimes hang out together in the evening but sharing a room wouldn’t work. Each of us requires space from the other one at times.”
WERDER.DE: You showed us your current room at the academy, where a very special shirt is hanging up. What’s it all about?
Johannes Eggestein: “Yes, there’s an Ailton shirt. I received it from my uncle as a birthday gift in 2004. Back then I was a massive Ailton fan and still am, even though he is unfortunately no longer playing. His pace, his technique and his finishing have all inspired me. It was crazy how he played. He is simply a Werder legend. There’s a lot I can still learn from him.”
WERDER:DE: You’ve spent three years living in the academy by the east curve of the Weser-Stadion. How did you find your time here?
Johannes Eggestein: “Bremen is a beautiful city, especially with the Weser flowing through the middle of it. It’s a nice place to be and everything feels very familiar. And it is exactly the same with the club. When I first came here, I was really taken in. I immediately felt very comfortable. This particular atmosphere is a real part of Werder Bremen.”
WERDER:DE: Talking of the atmosphere. You have already experienced the feeling in the Weser-Stadion first hand. Would you be living out one of your dreams, by playing in the Weser-Stadion?
Johannes Eggestein: “Absolutely. Signing a professional contract here was only really conceivable in the past few months, but I can honestly say that two or three years ago, I never would have thought that I would get the chance to sign a professional contract with Werder. That alone means fulfilling a dream. The next dream that I want to live out, is to at some point run out onto the stadium’s green turf.
