Julian Malatini is leaving Werder Bremen to join MLS club FC Cincinnati on a season-long loan. The 25-year-old Argentine centre-back failed to secure regular playing time in the current squad setup of the Green-Whites, as confirmed by the club on Thursday. This is reported by Bild Sport.
The departure comes during a turbulent start to the season for Werder, who sit in 15th place in the Bundesliga standings with zero points from one game. Coach Daniel Thioune's team conceded four goals while scoring only one, leaving them three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The next major challenge awaits on Friday, September 5, 2026, with a home match against third-placed RB Leipzig.
Why is Malatini leaving Werder Bremen?
Julian Malatini joined Bremen from Defensa y Justicia in January 2024 for a transfer fee of two million euros. His start was promising, as he scored a goal after coming on as a substitute in his very first Bundesliga appearance. However, the defender could not establish himself as a permanent starter over the long term. Peter Niemeyer, the club's professional chief, explained the move was due to the sporting situation. "In our current squad constellation, we could only offer Julian limited playing time. Therefore, we decided together with him on a loan," said Niemeyer.
The move to Cincinnati is arranged as a one-year loan with an option to buy afterwards. Malatini will continue training in Bremen until all necessary travel documents for the transfer to the United States are ready. For Werder, the departure means an adjustment to their defensive personnel, which will need to prove itself in the coming matches.
What is the situation with Dawid Kownacki?
Besides Malatini, another player could be on his way out. The 29-year-old striker Dawid Kownacki is reportedly of interest to Polish club Pogon Stettin. Coach Daniel Thioune commented on the attacker's situation and assured him of a fair chance should a move not materialize. "He is not happy with his situation and maybe not happy with me as a person right now." said Thioune. The coach emphasized that the possibility of a positional change for Kownacki had been discussed early on.
What challenges does Werder currently face?
The departure of Malatini and the uncertain future of Kownacki come at a difficult time. The team must react quickly after the negative season start with a goal difference of 1:4 and sitting at the bottom of the table. The defense, where Malatini could have played a role, is under particular pressure. The upcoming competitive matches, starting with the clash against Leipzig, will show how the remaining players in the back line gel. A look at the current squad reveals the need for stable performances in this phase of the season.
The focus is now fully on preparing for the home game on Friday. A positive result against the strong Leipzig side would be an important signal for the rest of the season planning. All upcoming fixtures for the Green-Whites can be found on our fixtures page.
