Friday was a busy day for Werder Bremen, with three contract extensions and one new signing announced at the Weserstadion.

Niklas Schmidt signed his professional contract, with Fin Bartels and Viktor Skripnik also extending. Fallou Diagne was the new arrival from Stade Rennais.

This further highlights the good work of Frank Baumann, the Bremen sporting director, as they aim to finalise their squad for pre-season.

Return to Germany for Diagne

The 26-year-old is back in the Bundesliga after a two season absence, which saw him head to France with Rennais.

He previously made 65 appearances during his three-year stint with SC Freiburg, which eventually saw his playing time fade away due to some rash errors.

Now, back with more experience and a seemingly cooler head, he will hope to slot in at the heart of the Bremen back-line.

Baumann said Diagne is "a very well trained player", who has "taken the next step" forward in his career, continuing: "Fallou is strong in the tackle and is also very versatile.”

He added, "At 26 years old, he’s already a seasoned central defender, who has gained experience both internationally in France as well as in the Bundesliga with SC Freiburg."

Diagne is tough in the tackle. | Image credit: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images
Diagne is tough in the tackle. | Image credit: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images

Skripnik stays

Skripnik is now bound to Werder to 2018. This is already his 20th year at the club, taking in both his stints as a player and a coach.

He took the top job in October 2014 and, despite narrowly avoiding relegation last year, looks to be building something very worthwhile this summer.

Torsten Frings and Florian Kohfeldt, the assistant coach duo, will also remain until 2018, as well as goalkeeping coach Christian Vander.

Skripnik was delighted, "We’re obviously all very pleased about the trust and confidence invested in us and that we can now continue our work here at Werder long term."

The manager also said, "We’ll all approach the upcoming tasks with hunger and desire.”

Quotes via werder.de

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Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]