On Tuesday morning suddenly everything went very quickly. Firstly the transfer of Per Mertesacker to Werder Bremen from Hanover 96 was announced. Just three hours later the 1,98m defender was presented to the press in Bremen.
On Tuesday morning suddenly everything went very quickly. Firstly the transfer of Per Mertesacker to Werder Bremen from Hanover 96 was announced. Just three hours later the 1,98m defender was presented to the press in Bremen.
On Tuesday morning suddenly everything went very quickly. Firstly the transfer of Per Mertesacker to Werder Bremen from Hanover 96 was announced. Just three hours later the 1,98m defender was presented to the press at the Weser Stadium. With great anticipation and curiosity, the German international accepted his new shirt from general manager Klaus Allofs and coach Thomas Schaaf. The event was of such significance that, for the first time, news channel 'N-T.V.' broadcast the press conference live.
"I'm very, very relieved that everything has been cleared up now. It was only really during my rehabilitation in Donaustauf that I could free my head from the situation. It's infuriating when you are constantly confronted with something that you know nothing new about", explained the new Werder man who admitted agreeing terms with Bremen very quickly. "I had decided on Werder Bremen early on. I was really interested after the initial enquiry."
Extremely good arguments for a move to the Green-Whites were in abbundance throughout the German national team. The Werder players in the national team were the perfect adverttising committee: "Of course they explained that there is really good football played in Germany - to be honest everyone totally raved about playing here." Not only are Klose, Borowski and Co. happy about their new team mate though. "My family are also fully behind the decision", admitted the 21 year old who will take on his first appartment of his own in Bremen.
The search for a new appartment and moving in must wait though. Firstly Per Mertesacker must finish his rehabilitation programme in Donaustauf. There he is working daily to get gis operated heel back up to scratch for the demands of the Bundesliga. "I fly back again this evening. You can already see the results. I've made my first attempts at jogiing and everyone is satisfied with the progress being made."
The next appointment for Per will be on Sunday when his old and new clubs clash in their Bundesliga 2006/2007 opener which the lanky defender will watch from the terraces. As yet he is unsure as to how he will be greeted in his old place of work: "I am very tense. Not many begrudge me the chance to take on the challenge here. There are others who are less supportive though. I have no influence over that." When asked as to where his loyalties will lie on Sunday he was very honest: "I don't think anyone will hold it against me when my heart still beats a little for Hanover. Naturally my wish though is that my new team pick up their first three points."
Soon Per Mertesacker hopes to be involved in the hunt for points. At the same time he was determined to retain his number '29' shirt. "I had wished for that. That's my number. I was awarded the number a long time ago by the Hanover kit man. I took my first steps in professional football with that number on my back. Aside from that my birthday is also on the 29th."
Johnnie Muldoon
