Victor Boniface Undergoes Knee Surgery, Set For Lengthy Time Off

Nigerian international Victor Boniface will be sidelined for an extended period after undergoing knee
surgery, his club Werder Bremen has confirmed, prompting a candid message from the striker about the
mental toll of his injury struggles.

In a statement released on Saturday, January 10, Werder Bremen announced that the 25-year-old
forward, currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, had agreed to knee surgery in Innsbruck, Austria,
after examination by a specialist.
The club said the procedure was a necessary step in addressing the persistent knee issue and that
Boniface will be unavailable for the “next few months.” The recovery timeline means he is not expected
to appear again for Bremen during the ongoing 2025/26 Bundesliga season.

Following the surgery, Boniface took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his emotional
experience over the past year. “Been putting on fake smile for almost a year.
But God knows why all this is happening. Grateful to God,” he wrote, acknowledging the challenges he
has faced while trying to manage the injury and remain positive. In a subsequent post, he encouraged
others not to give in to depression during difficult times.
Werder Bremen’s sporting leadership confirmed that the loan agreement with Bayer Leverkusen
remains in place until the end of the season, even though Boniface will not play again this term.
Peter Niemeyer, Head of Professional Football at Werder, said the club was “pleased that we have now
found a solution and that Victor will undergo surgery,” adding that clarity on the situation benefits all
involved.

Boniface’s injury problems have been a recurring theme in his young career. The Nigerian striker has
previously suffered significant setbacks, including ACL injuries, which have impacted his availability and
transfer opportunities.
Most notably, a proposed move to AC Milan in 2025 collapsed due to medical concerns related to his
knee, and reported interest from Saudi clubs also failed to materialise.

This latest surgery follows months of discomfort and missed appearances. Boniface had been limited to
11 Bundesliga appearances for Bremen this season, providing two assists but failing to score, in part due
to the ongoing knee issue.
The physical setback also ruled him out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in
Morocco.
Bremen and Leverkusen will now focus on Boniface’s rehabilitation and long-term recovery, hoping a
successful operation and careful rehabilitation will allow him to return stronger for the 2026/27 season
and beyond.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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