Samuel Mbangula has left Werder Bremen to join Bologna on a season-long loan. The 22-year-old midfielder will spend the year with the Italian club, which also holds a purchase option set at €12.5 million. Werder will receive a loan fee of €2 million as part of the deal, which was agreed upon on Sunday evening.
Mbangula is scheduled to undergo his medical in Italy on Tuesday to finalize the move. For Werder, the transaction provides financial relief after the club signed the player from Juventus Turin last year for a fee of €10 million, the second-highest in the club's history. During his time in Bremen, Mbangula made 26 appearances and scored three goals.
The loan move for Samuel Mbangula comes at a time when Werder Bremen are reassessing after a disappointing start to the season. Under coach Daniel Thioune, the team lost their Bundesliga opener 1–4 away to SC Freiburg. This result leaves Werder 15th in the table with zero points from one match and a goal difference of minus three. The defeat also means the Green-Whites are already three points behind early leaders Bayern München in the title race.
Alongside Mbangula, Romano Schmid has also departed, joining Frosinone. These exits and the poor initial return highlight areas for attention.
The agreed purchase option of €12.5 million represents a potentially profitable prospect for Werder Bremen. Should Bologna choose to exercise it, Werder would realize a book profit of €2.5 million compared to their original acquisition cost. The immediate loan fee of €2 million flows directly into the current transfer window, creating financial flexibility.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano was among the first to report the agreement between the clubs. The deal follows a pattern that has worked for Werder in the past: a young player gains experience in another league while the club retains financial security and a chance for long-term value appreciation. The full overview of the squad and their status is available on our squad page.
The transaction with Bologna is not the only link between the two clubs in this transfer period. English midfielder Jonathan Rowe, currently on the books at Bologna, is reportedly close to a move to Atalanta Bergamo. This shows the active market both clubs are operating in.
For Werder Bremen, focus now shifts to the next competitive fixture. On September 5th, Werder will host RB Leipzig, who currently sit third in the Bundesliga table. This home match is a key test for Daniel Thioune's side to turn things around after the opening stumble.
The loan departure of Samuel Mbangula is thus a strategic move during a turbulent period for Werder Bremen. The club is responding to sporting and financial necessities while preserving the potential future value of the asset. The next match against Leipzig on September 5th will show how the team adapts to the changes.
