Werder Bremen have officially confirmed the departure of Austrian international Romano Schmid, with the 26-year-old completing a permanent move to newly-promoted Serie A side Frosinone Calcio.
Get German Football News reported last week that Bremen and Frosinone were engaged in advanced negotiations over Schmid , with the Bundesliga club prepared to sanction a sale during the final year of the midfielder's contract.
According to Kickerand Sky Germany, Frosinone will pay Bremen a guaranteed €8.5m for Schmid. Easily achievable bonuses could increase the total package to approximately €10.5m.
Schmid originally joined Bremen from RB Salzburg for approximately €1m in January 2019 before immediately spending 18 months on loan at Wolfsberger AC. Following his return, the attacking midfielder experienced both extremes with Werder. He was part of the squad relegated from the Bundesliga in 2021 before developing into a key player during Ole Werner's immediate promotion campaign the following season.
Schmid subsequently established himself as one of Bremen's most important creative players.
Schmid departs German football having made 192 competitive appearances for his Bundesliga club, producing 18 goals and 35 assists. Schmid registered double-digit Bundesliga goal contributions in each of his final three seasons and reached a personal best of four goals and eight assists last term.
His development at the Weserstadion was also accompanied by his breakthrough at international level. Schmid became a senior Austrian international shortly after Bremen returned to the Bundesliga and has since represented his country at both the European Championship and the World Cup.
The 26-year-old had taken Bremen's No. 10 shirt following Leonardo Bittencourt's departure this summer, but long-running speculation surrounding his future ultimately concluded with the move to Italy.
Schmid becomes Bremen's second significant sale of the summer after goalkeeper Mio Backhaus joined Freiburg for approximately €12m plus bonuses. The Austrian's departure creates another major sporting vacancy but also provides sporting director Clemens Fritz with additional flexibility in the transfer market.
Summer arrival Chuki offers one possible internal solution in creative midfield. The Spanish youngster has already demonstrated during preseason that he can operate in areas similar to Schmid, although replacing one of Bremen's most consistent attacking contributors will inevitably require adjustments.
"With Romano, a player who became one of the faces of our team in recent years is leaving us," Bremen chief personnel executive Clemens Fritz noted in a club statement. "He matured into a good Bundesliga and international player in Bremen and identified very strongly with the club, the city and the fans. Frosinone Calcio, however, submitted an offer that met both our economic interests and Romano's personal wishes. We wish him all the best, both on and off the pitch, for this new step in Italy."
"Over all these years here in Bremen, so much has happened," Schmid himself added. "Relegation. Promotion, I developed into an international and was able to take part in a European Championship and a World Cup. My first son was born here. My family and I have always felt at home here. My time here will always be special in my life. Now I have the chance to play in a country I have always wanted to play in. I wish Werder, the staff and all the fans all the best for the future."
