Remain healthy in next hurdles

Özkan Yildirim wants to develop step-by-step after his 18-month injury layoff.
First Team
Thursday, 14.02.2013 / 09:34

Özkan Yildirim's career was nearly over before it really began as the German-Turk missed 18 months due to an injury. Now, the young talent is back and hopes for a big future...

Özkan Yildirim's career was nearly over before it really began as the German-Turk missed 18 months due to an injury. Now, the young talent is back and hopes for a big future.

"That was very difficult for me, also for the psyche. My goal was to return to the pitch again. I think the time away from the pitch changed me. Now I am thankful for every second that I can be at training," said the instinctive footballer after his return to the pitch. Now Yildirim values every minute in the Bundesliga.

Yildirim played in Weser Stadium for the first time in the 2012-13 season's second half kick-off against Borussia Dortmund as head coach Thomas Schaaf let his dribbling maestro into the game for the final 36 minutes. Two weeks later came his second appearance against Hannover 96. After entering the game in the 88th minute, he had his first highlight, assisting on Nils Petersen's goal to make it 2-0. "That was absolutely amazing," recalled ‘Ötzi'. Afterwards he got countless calls and text messages from friends congratulating him. Yildirim himself continues to watch the highlights of the win against Hannover over and over (the video can be seen up top on the left).

Yildirim did not worry about not being named to the game roster for the 4-1 victory in Stuttgart a week later. Instead, he went to play for Werder's U23 team and had two assists in the 5-0 win over Victoria Hamburg. "After my long injury layoff, I am just happy to play. My goal is to go up the ladder step by step," said the 19-year-old modestly. Yildirim, who has played with Werder Bremen since the youth and also lines up for Germany's U20 national team, is under contract with the Green-Whites until the end of the season. The youngster was diplomatic when asked about a possible contract extension. "I have played here 10 years now. Werder is my first choice. Of course, it has to fit for both sides. But I am only concentrating on football right now. Everything else will take care of itself after that," said Yildirim.

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