Bremen confirm Alvero purchase

After weeks of unofficial rumors, SV Werder Bremen have at long last officially confirmed the pulling of French midfielder Skelly Alvero's purchase option. The  imposing two-meter-tall Lyon talent was limited to six appearances with the Hanseaten over the course of the second half of last season, but did score his inaugural Bundesliga goal against Hoffenheim on match-day 24.

France's L'Equipe reports that the 22-year-old cost Bremen approximately €5 million and that his new deal in the city-state runs for four years. It may well be the case that some discrepancies over the highly nuanced purchase option was the factor causing a delay in the permanent purchase. Ironing out the details of Alvero's new contract might have also slowed matters down. 

“Even though Skelly didn't get as many appearances as we had hoped due to injuries, he absolutely convinced us both athletically and as a personality off the pitch,” SV personnel chief Clemens Fritz noted in a club statement, "We are delighted to be able to retain Skelly." 

"I feel very comfortable at Werder and am happy that I can continue to play here," the player himself added, "It was my wish from the start to commit myself to the club."