“We regret Oliver’s decision and would have liked to have kept him here. Especially since our offer in our most recent negotiations was in line with the player’s previously expressed expectations and took into consideration his strong performances in recent weeks. However, it appears as though there is another offer on the table that is both more financially lucrative and of a longer duration than our offer. Unfortunately, due to Oliver’s decision it is no longer possible for us to respond with any further adjustments to our offer. As is the case during contract negotiations, we need to consider every possible factor for both the player and the rest of our squad, which includes wages, contract lengths and the potential for further development. As a result, we were unable and unwilling to bend further. Despite the decision, we have full confidence that Oli will give his all for Werder until the end of the season. We wish him all the best for his future,” said Clemens Fritz, SVW’s managing director for sport.