Werder Bremen and Dawid Kownacki terminate contract by mutual agreement

Contract termination and squad status

SV Werder Bremen and striker Dawid Kownacki have ended their partnership with immediate effect on 30 September 2026. The Bundesliga club and the 29-year-old Polish forward reached a mutual agreement to terminate his existing contract ahead of schedule. Werder Bremen managing director for football Clemens Fritz announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon. Fritz explained that the club management and the player had held discussions over recent weeks regarding his sporting situation and prospects in Bremen. Werder Bremen did not release financial terms regarding the agreed separation.

Fritz stated the rationale behind the early termination:

We have spoken with Dawid in recent weeks about his sporting situation and his prospects at Werder. In doing so, we came to the conclusion that terminating the contract is the best solution for both sides.

Three seasons and loan spells across Germany

Kownacki joined Werder Bremen in July 2023 after moving from 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf. Across three years under contract with the Weser club, the forward made 22 competitive appearances in total, failing to register a goal or an assist. Unable to secure a starting role, Kownacki spent most of his tenure away on loan in the second division. During the 2024–2025 season, he returned to Fortuna Düsseldorf on a temporary transfer. He then joined Hertha BSC on loan for the 2025–2026 campaign, where he scored six goals and provided two assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.

Fritz commended the Polish forward for his conduct throughout his time under contract:

Dawid always behaved professionally during his time at Werder and put himself at the service of the team. We would like to thank him for his commitment in the Werder shirt and wish him all the best for his future sporting and personal path.

Failed summer departures and squad exclusion

Kownacki returned to Bremen in the summer of 2026 following the expiration of his loan spell in Berlin. Despite his return, Bremen did not include him in their sporting plans for the 2026–2027 Bundesliga season. During the summer transfer window, media reports linked the forward with several clubs in the Polish Ekstraklasa. Polish sports journalist Mateusz Borek reported concrete interest from Pogoń Szczecin, though negotiations broke down before an agreement could be reached. With no transfer finalized before the summer deadline passed, Kownacki remained at Bremen but did not feature in a single matchday squad or log any playing time.

Free agency and future career steps

By terminating his contract outside the transfer window, Kownacki becomes a free agent with immediate eligibility to sign with another club. The 29-year-old forward, who has earned seven caps for Poland and previously featured for Lech Poznań, is now permitted to negotiate terms without requiring a transfer fee or waiting for the winter registration period. SV Werder Bremen issued a statement thanking the player for his dedication in the green and white shirt and wishing him success in his future personal and sporting pursuits. The club confirmed that Kownacki's next team has not yet been determined.