Cedric Itten’s free transfer from Düsseldorf to Bremen is official: The new signing is expected to bring more threat to Werder’s lackluster attack.
The final formalities were settled on-site during the World Cup, and on Sunday, SV Werder Bremen announced the signing of the Swiss World Cup player: Cedric Itten is transferring on a free transfer from Fortuna Düsseldorf to the Bundesliga club.
Following the second-division club’s relegation to the third division, the contract—which had originally been set to run through 2029—was no longer valid in the Rhineland; a year ago, Fortuna paid a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros to Young Boys Bern, for whom Itten scored 48 goals in 128 competitive matches.
SV Werder, which has now presented Itten as its third new professional signing on a free transfer, hopes that the forward’s arrival will provide more scoring threat for the second-weakest offense in last season’s Bundesliga. In Bremen, Itten will once again be reunited with head coach Daniel Thioune, under whose guidance he scored three of his 15 goals in Düsseldorf before Thioune was forced to step down last October. For the Swiss national team, with which he is competing in the World Cup, he has made 16 international appearances (five goals) to date, making his World Cup debut as a substitute against Bosnia.
Itten: Bundesliga Appearances for Fürth
“Cedric is a player who fits the profile we’re looking for perfectly. At 29, he has a wealth of experience, which he has gained both at his previous clubs and with the Swiss national team. These qualities will be a significant asset to our team,” said Peter Niemeyer, Head of Professional Soccer, in the club’s press release announcing Itten’s transfer.
During the 2021/22 season, Itten—on loan from Glasgow Rangers—even took the field 12 times (scoring two goals) for Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga; prior to that, he also played for FC St. Gallen and FC Basel in his home country.
Another Werder striker is expected to join
Werder coach Thioune welcomes the signing of the professional, who has made a name for himself as a goal-scorer at his most recent clubs: “I know Cedric from our time together in Düsseldorf. He’s a tall, physically robust striker who can hold up the ball in the box and knows where the goal is. His qualities will expand our options in attack.”
In Bremen, Itten will initially join the planned forward lineup alongside top prospect Salim Musah and 19-year-old newcomer Kenny Quetant. Keke Topp is unlikely to be an option until the second half of the season following his cruciate ligament tear. In addition, Werder plans to sign one more forward.