Victor Boniface Returns To Bayer Leverkusen After Nightmare Werder Bremen Loan Spell

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has officially returned to Bayer Leverkusen, bringing an early end to what turned out to be a painful and disappointing season-long loan at Werder Bremen.

The move to the Weserstadion was meant to be a reset — a chance to rediscover confidence and rhythm after losing his spark at Leverkusen. Instead, it became a harsh reminder of how quickly football fortunes can change.

A Loan Spell That Went Horribly Wrong

Boniface failed to score in 11 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen, registering just two assists and several underwhelming performances. His struggles were summed up by a particularly difficult 30-minute cameo in a 3-0 home defeat to Freiburg, which exposed how far he had fallen from his best.

For Bremen, the gamble simply did not pay off.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t go as we had hoped,” sporting director Peter Niemeyer admitted, confirming the club no longer expects the 25-year-old to feature again this season.

“I Was Putting On A Fake Smile” – Boniface Opens Up

Behind the scenes, Boniface was fighting a much deeper battle.

The Nigerian forward recently revealed on social media that he had been “putting on a fake smile for almost a year”, playing through persistent knee discomfort that eventually became unbearable. That hidden struggle ultimately led to major knee surgery, forcing the early termination of his loan and a return to Leverkusen.

The surgery has since been described as successful, but it effectively rules him out for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.

From Unstoppable To Uncertain: A Sharp Fall

The contrast is stark.

Just last summer, Boniface was flying. He had played a key role in Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title, was adored by Nigerian fans, and was widely viewed as the natural successor to Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles attack.

The two forwards even formed a close friendship, with many believing they would spearhead Nigeria’s frontline for years.

But injuries, a failed high-profile move to Al-Nassr, and a steady decline in form all combined to derail that trajectory. Even before leaving Leverkusen, Boniface was already performing well below his explosive best.

A Long Road Back — But Hope Remains

Despite the setbacks, there is still a glimmer of optimism.

Boniface has already resumed light recovery work at Leverkusen and posted a gym photo with the caption: “Work starts tomorrow.” It’s a small step, but an important one.

For a player whose career has swung between breathtaking highs and brutal injury layoffs, the priority now is clear: physical stability. If his knee can finally withstand the demands of elite football, there may yet be a path back — for club and country.

For Nigeria, a fully fit Victor Boniface is still a weapon worth waiting for.

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