22 May 2007, by Sean Gillen

Werder Bremen set to exercise Almeida option

Striker’s impressive season earns permanent contract

Hugo Almeida looks set to stay in German football next season after Werder Bremen announced that they would be making the Portuguese striker’s loan move from Porto permanent this summer.

The 22-year-old moved to the Weser Stadion on a one-year loan deal in August, and has scored ten goals in all competitions as Bremen finished third in the Bundesliga and reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup.

After scoring in his first two games at the club, Almeida struggled for goals during the middle part of the season, but his form in the closing months of the campaign saw him play an increasingly important role in Thomas Schaaf’s side.

Almeida had recently expressed a desire to stay with the club, and Bremen’s sporting director Klaus Allofs told German newspaper Bild that they will be taking up the option of signing the powerful front man on a long-term deal.

“For weeks we have intended to keep Hugo Almeida.” said Allofs. “We will take advantage of our option to buy him.”

“He has developed over the year with us. He has plenty of potential, is quick and strong in the air. He is also powerful and has a good shot. We see big potential in him, he has a bright future at Werder.”