Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has broken his silence on the decision to allow Nigerian striker Victor Boniface leave the club, insisting the move was purely for footballing reasons rather than a loss of faith.
Boniface, who is currently on loan at Werder Bremen, has endured a challenging second season following his explosive debut campaign in Germany. Questions had been raised over why a player who played a key role in Leverkusen’s historic domestic double was allowed to depart so soon.
However, Rolfes has now provided clarity, pointing to fitness concerns and the intense schedule at Bayer Leverkusen as the major factors behind the decision.
The Leverkusen chief stressed that Boniface’s quality has never been in doubt, recalling his outstanding impact during his first season and solid contributions despite injury setbacks in his second year.
According to Rolfes, the striker’s struggles were largely due to limited training opportunities caused by the club’s demanding fixture list, which made it difficult for him to regain peak physical condition.
He explained that with matches coming every few days, Boniface was unable to properly rebuild fitness levels, prompting both player and club to agree that a temporary move elsewhere would be the best solution.
The decision ultimately led to his loan switch to Werder Bremen, where he has been working his way back to full fitness after a difficult spell that included injury setbacks and rehabilitation.
Boniface rose to prominence after a remarkable 2023–24 season, where he scored crucial goals and helped Leverkusen secure both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal. His physical presence, finishing ability and attacking flair quickly made him one of the most exciting forwards in European football.
But injuries disrupted his momentum in the following campaign, limiting his consistency and forcing the club to rethink his development pathway.
Rolfes’ latest comments are likely to ease concerns among Nigerian fans, reaffirming that the Super Eagles forward remains highly rated within the club despite his temporary departure.
With his recovery progressing, attention will now turn to whether Boniface can rediscover his best form and force his way back into contention at Leverkusen ahead of next season.
