Nigerian international striker Victor Boniface is contemplating knee surgery that could sideline him for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, according to reports from German media. The 24-year-old, currently on a season-long loan at Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen, has been hampered by persistent knee issues, limiting his impact since joining the club in September 2025.
Boniface has appeared in just 11 Bundesliga matches for Bremen this season, failing to score a single goal and registering only two assists. He has accumulated a mere 326 minutes of playing time and has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in any game. The forward's struggles have been compounded by recurring fitness problems, including a recent knee injury that ruled him out of Werder's final two fixtures of the 2025 calendar year.
German tabloid Sport Bild reported that Leverkusen's medical staff has recommended surgery to address the ongoing knee complaint, which initially seemed minor when sustained during a training session in early December 2025. Despite conservative treatment, the pain has persisted, prompting discussions between the clubs' officials. Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes and Werder Bremen's head of professional football Clemens Fritz are reportedly consulting to reach a consensus on the best course of action before the Christmas break.
The final decision rests with Boniface himself, who has a history of serious knee injuries. He previously suffered two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in 2019 and 2020 while playing in Norway and Belgium, respectively. These past issues also contributed to the collapse of a proposed loan move to AC Milan in the summer of 2025, after he failed a medical examination due to abnormalities in his right knee.
Boniface's loan to Werder Bremen came about on transfer deadline day in September 2025, following the failed Milan deal. The move was intended to provide regular playing time for the Super Eagles forward, who had impressed at Leverkusen with 32 goals and 12 assists in 61 appearances across the previous two seasons, including contributing to their 2023/24 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. However, his time at the Weserstadion has been described as a "disaster," with inconsistent performances and limited opportunities under head coach Horst Steffen.
Werder Bremen officials have addressed speculation about potentially terminating the loan early. Following a 0-0 draw with Augsburg on December 20, 2025, Clemens Fritz stated that the club is in close contact with Leverkusen's medical team and prioritizing Boniface's recovery. "Victor is currently injured, and we are in communication with the Leverkusen doctors. For now, we want to give him a bit of rest... As of now, neither Victor has approached us, nor are there such considerations on Leverkusen’s side or ours. The important thing for now is that he gets fit again," Fritz told reporters.
Despite the lack of goals, Werder had hoped Boniface's physical presence, finishing ability, and pace would bolster their attack after selling key forward Marvin Ducksch earlier in the summer. The loan agreement includes no purchase option, meaning Boniface is due to return to Leverkusen at the end of the season.
If surgery proceeds, it could mark another significant setback for Boniface, who turns 25 on December 23, 2025. Recovery from knee procedures, especially given his history, might extend beyond the current campaign, raising questions about his long-term fitness and market value. Boniface remains under contract with Leverkusen until June 2028.
The situation highlights the risks associated with Boniface's injury-prone profile, which has seen him miss substantial periods in recent years. At Leverkusen, he missed 37 games due to various issues before the loan. His omission from Nigeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations further underscores the challenges he has faced this season.
As both clubs navigate the holiday period, attention will turn to Boniface's decision in the coming weeks, with potential implications for Werder Bremen's mid-table ambitions and Leverkusen's planning for his return.
