Pizarro: "Helping the young players"

Claudio Pizarro had his medical on Monday morning for his return to Werder (photo: WERDER.DE).
First Team
Monday, 07.09.2015 / 13:29

Claudio Pizarro landed in Bremen just before 23:00 last night and the Peruvian was greeted by hundreds of chanting Bremen fans at the airport. On Monday morning the striker's move could be completed and he has now signed with the Green-Whites for the third time after 1999 and 2008...

Claudio Pizarro landed in Bremen just before 23:00 CEST last night, and the Peruvian was greeted by hundreds of chanting Werder fans at the airport. On Monday morning, the striker's move was completed and he has now signed with the Green-Whites for the third time, after 1999 and 2008. 

WERDER.DE accompanied the 36-year-old to his medical and used the opportunity for a first chat.

WERDER.DE: Claudio, welcome back to Bremen and to Werder. That was some reception for you yesterday - something that we've never seen before at Werder. What was going through your head when you saw so many fans?

Claudio Pizarro: "I was somewhat tired from the long day but it was a really nice welcome. My friends were asking me if a rock star had just arrived. I'd like to thank everyone for the welcome - it reminded me of why I always felt so good here."

Hundreds of fans greeted Pizarro on his arrival at Bremen airport on Sunday night (photo: nph).

WERDER.DE: You've joined Werder for a third time now. Can you explain what the move means to you?

Claudio Pizarro: "I am someone who always completely identifies with what he does. When I came here to Werder as a young player, I was joining my first club in Europe. Back then I got a warm welcome and I quickly felt good in Bremen and at Werder. The people accepted me and my family really well and I took the club to heart. I'm really glad to be here again. I hope that we can celebrate many victories together."

WERDER.DE: You've experienced some wins in your career, so you're bringing a lot of experience with you. How do you see your role at the club?

Claudio Pizarro: "I'm one of the oldest players at the club now (laughs). One of my main tasks is certainly to help the team and especially the young players with my experience and quality."

Pizarro and Frings played together for five seasons between 1999 and 2001 and again between 2008 and 2011 (archive photo: nph).

WERDER.DE: Viktor Skripnik, Torsten Frings and Christian Vander used to be your teammates and now they are part of the coaching staff with Florian Kohfeldt. Will there be any problems with that?

Claudio Pizarro: "Problems? It will be easy for me (laughs). I have a good relationship with all of them and I've known them for a long time. Of course it's different because they're no longer my teammates but my coaches, but I'm looking forward to working with them and I believe that we will have a great time together."

WERDER.DE: Can you not wait for the first game at the Weser-Stadion after such an amazing welcome? 

Claudio Pizarro: "I have a rough image of how it will be (laughs). I've already played at the Weser-Stadion several times and it was always something special. I can hardly wait for it and I'm really excited."

WERDER.DE: Your new number will be 14 instead of the previous 24. What does that number mean to you?

Claudio Pizarro: "The number has been with me for my entire career. After I left Werder for the first time I wore the number 14 at Bayern and Chelsea, and then I took 24 upon my return to Werder because 14 was already taken. But now I've got the chance to wear 14 again, and the number on my shirt is something that I identify myself with."

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