Victor Boniface: Bremen legend hails underfire striker, but includes important caveat

Victor Boniface’s arrival at Werder Bremen has been greeted with enthusiasm, with many seeing him as a player who could elevate the club’s attack. Yet the Nigeria forward’s fitness record continues to spark debate around his long-term impact.

Former Bremen captain Max Kruse expressed the prevailing view this week, combining praise with caution. “When Victor Boniface is fit, he is one of the best transfers Werder has ever made. Because you don’t usually get a player like that,” Kruse said.

It is that conditional “when fit” that has shaped Boniface’s career so far, with a long list of injuries often halting his progress and even influencing transfer decisions at the highest level.

What is Boniface's history with injuries?

The forward’s problems began shortly after moving to Norway’s Bodø/Glimt in 2019. Within two weeks of signing, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, missing six months and Nigeria’s U20 AFCON campaign. 

After returning, he enjoyed a brief run before tearing the same ligament again in late 2020, keeping him out for nearly a year and costing him 56 matches. A healthy stretch followed, leading to his move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, where he immediately impressed. His debut Bundesliga season brought four Rookie of the Month awards and the Rookie of the Season prize. 

That momentum was broken in January 2024 by an adductor tear, which sidelined him for three months and ruled him out of Nigeria’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The following season brought further setbacks, a knock, a hamstring strain and a thigh issue, keeping him out of 14 matches.  In total, he has missed 127 games through six different types of injury. His medical history even prompted AC Milan’s doctors to block a move this year, despite the Italian club’s strong interest.