10 best Werder Bremen players ever
Werder Bremen is one of the most traditional football clubs in Germany, with a history of more than a century and proud achievements in both domestic and international arenas. Over the decades of development, the team has made a deep impression with the appearance of excellent stars, contributing to the brand and unique identity of the club. Below, Kingsoccertips.com shares a list of the 10 best Werder Bremen players ever, who have left an indelible mark in the hearts of fans.
Top 10 best Werder Bremen players ever
Below is a list of the top 10 Werder Bremen best players of all time, the stars who have contributed to creating a deep impression and resounding success for the blue-white team.
Top 10: Ivan Klasnić
Ivan Klasnić, a Croatian striker born in Hamburg in 1980, is one of the most beloved goal scorers in Werder Bremen’s history. Joining from FC St. Pauli in 2001, Klasnić quickly made an impact with his sharp finishing and strong link-up play alongside teammates like Miroslav Klose and Johan Micoud. Over seven seasons at Bremen, he scored 77 goals and assisted 44 times in 205 appearances across all competitions, playing a crucial role in the club’s historic Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2003–04 season.
What sets Klasnić apart is not only his talent but also his remarkable resilience. In 2007, he underwent two kidney transplants and became the first professional footballer to return to top-level play after such surgeries. Beyond his comeback, he scored for Croatia at Euro 2008, becoming a symbol of fighting spirit. His determination and achievements make him a true legend for Werder Bremen.
Top 9: Tim Borowski
Tim Borowski, a versatile central midfielder born in East Germany in 1980, rose through Werder Bremen’s youth ranks and debuted for the first team in 2001. Over seven seasons, Borowski was a consistent performer before moving to Bayern Munich. At Bremen, he scored 44 goals in 212 matches across all competitions. Known for his ideal physique, technical skills, and ability to support attacks from midfield, Borowski was a key figure in Bremen’s early 2000s gameplay.
After a season with Bayern, Borowski returned to Bremen in 2009 and played until 2012 before retiring. Internationally, he earned 33 caps for Germany, participating in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, scoring twice. His calm style, discipline, and loyalty have cemented his place among Bremen’s club legends.
Top 8: Thorsten Frings
Thorsten Frings is considered one of the most complete defensive midfielders in German football history. Initially joining Bremen in 1997 from Alemannia Aachen, he impressed enough to move to Borussia Dortmund in 2002, then Bayern Munich. However, his two stints at Werder Bremen (1997–2002 and 2005–2011) defined his career. Frings played 326 games and scored 36 goals, contributing significantly to Bremen’s success in the early 21st century.
Frings combined excellent fitness, precise long passing, strong tackling, and the ability to control midfield tempo. Serving as a model vice-captain and leader, he inspired younger generations at Bremen. Internationally, Frings appeared in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2008, helping Germany reach finals and semifinals. His composure, toughness, and consistent contributions mark him as a Bremen icon.
Top 7: Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose, one of Germany’s greatest strikers, had a highly successful three-year spell at Werder Bremen from 2004 to 2007. Signed from Kaiserslautern, Klose immediately impressed with his scoring form. He netted 63 goals and provided 47 assists in 132 appearances across all competitions. The 2005–06 season was a career highlight when he won the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 25 goals and was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year.
Beyond scoring, Klose was known for his intelligent movement, creative passing, and exemplary work ethic. After Bremen, he continued his success at Bayern Munich and Lazio, becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 16 goals. His time at Bremen was the perfect springboard to becoming a global football legend.
Top 6: Thomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf embodies loyalty and identity at Werder Bremen. Having joined the club as a youth in 1972, he played for the first team from 1978 to 1995, making 281 appearances and scoring 14 goals. Not flashy individually, Schaaf was a reliable defender admired for his steadiness, loyalty, and discipline. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching and led Bremen through a golden era.
From 1999 to 2013, Schaaf served as Bremen’s head coach, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2003–04, and consistently finishing near the top of the league. Under his leadership, stars like Klose, Micoud, Aílton, Frings, and Özil flourished. Known for attractive attacking football, Schaaf is a living legend and the heart of the club’s philosophy.
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Top 5: Aílton Gonçalves da Silva
Aílton, the Brazilian striker, was one of the most effective and charismatic scorers to wear the Bremen shirt. Joining in 1998, he quickly made a name in the Bundesliga with his flair, pace, and deadly finishing. Across 214 matches, he scored 106 goals, reflecting his huge impact in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The 2003–04 season was his peak, netting 28 goals and helping Bremen secure a historic double.
Individually, Aílton was the first foreign player to win Germany’s Footballer of the Year award. Though sometimes criticized for emotional and tactical lapses, he always knew how to shine at crucial moments. His instinctive style and scoring knack made him a fan favorite. After Bremen, his career wandered through multiple clubs but never matched his peak form at Weserstadion.
Top 4: Claudio Pizarro
Claudio Pizarro is among the greatest scorers in Werder Bremen and Bundesliga history. The Peruvian forward first joined Bremen in 1999 and returned for three spells (1999–2001, 2008–2012, 2015–2017). Pizarro’s skillful technique, excellent positioning, and natural goal instinct allowed him to score 144 goals in 318 appearances, making him Bremen’s second-highest scorer behind Aílton. He helped Bremen win the German Cup and starred in notable Champions League campaigns.
Pizarro also holds the record for the most Bundesliga goals scored by a foreign player, surpassing 190. His professionalism, adaptability, and fighting spirit extended his career to the highest level well into his later years. Revered by Bremen fans, Pizarro symbolizes loyalty and class, also serving as a cultural ambassador raising Peru’s football profile in Europe.
Top 3: Horst-Dieter Höttges
Horst-Dieter Höttges is one of Germany’s finest defenders from the 1960s and 70s. Starting his professional career at Werder Bremen in 1963, he stayed with the club for 15 years and played over 400 games. Known for solid defending, relentless work ethic, and effective attacking support, Höttges was a key player during Bremen’s 1964–65 Bundesliga title-winning season an historic milestone for the club.
Internationally, Höttges earned more than 60 caps for West Germany and was part of the 1974 World Cup-winning squad. His energetic, versatile style as a full-back combined technical skill with a fighting spirit, making him a role model for dedication and perseverance in both German football and Bremen’s history.
Top 2: Rudi Völler
Rudi Völler, the famous German striker, had a memorable spell at Werder Bremen between 1982 and 1987. He quickly became the team’s main goal threat with his diverse and effective finishing. Völler scored 97 goals in 167 appearances, helping Bremen establish themselves as a Bundesliga powerhouse in the 1980s. In 1987, he led the team to the European Cup (now Champions League) final one of the club’s highest achievements.
After leaving Bremen, Völler enjoyed a stellar career at Roma and Marseille and became a German national icon with 90 caps and 47 goals. Known for his fighting spirit and leadership, he later managed the German national team and several clubs. Völler remains one of the greatest strikers in Werder Bremen’s history and an inspiration for future generations.
Top 1: Marco Bode
Marco Bode is regarded as one of the finest players in Werder Bremen’s history. Playing from 1989 to 2002, he left a lasting mark with his refined technique, versatile attacking skills, and enduring spirit. Over 300 appearances, Bode scored nearly 100 goals and helped Bremen win key titles such as the Bundesliga in 1992-93 and multiple German Cups (DFB-Pokal). His consistency and contribution made him a symbol of the club for many years.
Marco Bode – Loyal striker, scored nearly 100 goals for the team
At the international level, Bode was a German national team mainstay with 40 caps and 9 goals. Known for intelligent play, sharp movement, and precise finishing, he was also a respected captain inspiring teammates both on and off the pitch. Bode’s significant impact has earned him a place as one of Werder Bremen’s greatest legends.
In Summary
The names in the list of 10 best Werder Bremen players ever not only represent individual talent but also reflect the spirit and core values of the club through each period. Together they have written glorious pages of history and created unforgettable memories for fans. Their careers and contributions have always been an endless source of inspiration, contributing to affirming Werder Bremen’s position in the hearts of football lovers around the world.
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