2018. A successful year for many Werder players. Succesful runs in both halves of the season, goals on debuts, World Cup debuts, comebacks and lots of noteworthy memories. In our review of 2018, WERDER.de have asked some Werder players to name their favourite moments of the year. This moment is what will stay in the memories of players for the rest of their careers. We start with Davy Klaassen.
"I have two moments I have to mention. The first one was my arrival in Bremen, two very hectic days. The Thursday was already very hectic and a totally new experience for me. In the morning, I was sat in a hairdressers in Manchester, I had brought all the essential items with me ready for my journey to Bremen. I already new I was transferring clubs and I was glad that everything was in place. I was looking forward to visiting Bremen but I was also a bit nerbous. In all honesty, I had no idea what was expected of me."
"When I landed in Bremen, my first impression and gut feeling were very good. It was lovely that Tim Steidten met me at the aiport. That really was a sign of high appreciation. The entire day was enjoyable, even if it was hectic and full of stress. I completed all of my medical checks. It was a very long day but I was already made to feel welcome at the club.
Then the Friday... We had three matches in four days and the Bielefeld match was less than 24 hours after I had signed my contract. I thought: we will see what happens and maybe I will play half an hour. Suddenly, Florian Kohfeldt says to me that I'm starting the match and will play 60, 30 and 60 minutes respectively across the three matches. Wow!
That was an unusual situation. I didn't know all of my teammates' names who I had met in my first couple of days. Everything went by so quickly. However, it was good for me as I integrated into the club very quickly. The goal against Bielefeld also helped. I really enjoyed that goal, even if it was only in a friendly. It was special to score in my first couple of days at the club having hardly played in the previous six months.
The second moment, which is just as special, was the home match against Wolfsburg, My grandfather was here in Bremen for the first time. Sadly, it is also the only time he has been to a match here up to now. What happened? I scored!"
I discuss everything with him.Davy Klaassen
I really do have a good relationship with him. I discuss everything with him, espeically life here in Bremen. He is an extremely important person in my life. When I was ten years old, I signed for Ajax and there wasn no shuttle service for me to get to training in the first year I was there. My grandfather drove me to training every day and picked me up too. Every single day! A shuttle service was set up the following year. Nevertheless, he still came to watch every match and was always there for me.
