Justin Njinmah has played his way into first-team contention at Werder Bremen in the early part of 2023/24. - © IMAGO/Nordphoto

bundesliga

Justin Njinmah: Who is the former Borussia Dortmund winger turning heads at Werder Bremen?

18.10.2023

Justin Njinmah's emergence at Werder Bremen has helped soften the blow of losing Niclas Füllkrug to Borussia Dortmund. bundesliga.com profiles the young winger with a BVB past...

Data correct as of 18 October 2023

Justin Njinmah

Age: 22
Club: Werder Bremen
Position: Winger
Country: Germany (uncapped)

Key stats

Njinmah has two Bundesliga goals to show for his first five appearances of the 2023/24 campaign, as well as an assist. Producing a debut haul during a 14-minute cameo against Mainz on Matchday 3, he became the second Bremen player since detailed data collection began to score and assist a goal on his first Bundesliga outing in Werder colours, after Diego (August 2006). The 6'0" right-footer subsequently hit the winner as a substitute against Cologne on Matchday 5, before making back-to-back league starts.

Watch: Justin Njinmah and the rising stars of the 2023/24 Bundesliga

The Mainz game wasn't his outright Bundesliga debut, though. That came whilst on loan at the Dortmund reserves in the 2022/23 season, in a meeting with RB Leipzig. He had a direct hand in 18 goals in 34 matches for the Black-Yellows' second string over the course of the campaign, adding to his five goals and two assists across 17 appearances a year earlier. The Werder No.17 previously represented Bremen and fellow northern outfit Holstein Kiel in Germany's fourth tier, as well as the Hamburg-based Eimsbütteler U19s.

Plays a bit like: Donyell Malen

Njinmah's ability to streak past opposition defenders is reminsicent of Dortmund's Donyell Malen, who has found top gear in 2023. And like BVB's flying Dutchman, the Bremen youngster doesn't disappoint in terms of end product.

Did you know?

Following his emphatic Bremen debut against Mainz, it was revealed that Njinmah has been banned from attending TV interviews, in order to concentrate on his football. "You'll get to know everything else about him in time," teased Bremen head coach Ole Werner.

What they saying

"We're really happy with him. He's taken on his role well and can really make a difference for us." - Werner

"Justin's the kind of player you can throw into a game late on. He's no slouch. As a defender, it's not easy in the final 20 minutes. He's like an arrow. He brings a lot to the team." - Bremen teammate Niklas Stark