Timo Werner, who left RB Leipzig for the Premier League two years ago, has returned to the club on a permanent basis.
Chelsea met Werner’s £45 million release clause in 2020 but will lose money, with Werner returning in a deal worth around £25 million.
He has agreed to terms with his former club on a four-year contract extension until 2026.
“I’m very happy to be back playing for RB Leipzig,” the 26-year-old said.
“From 2016 to 2020, we had a fantastic time as a league newcomer, causing quite a stir.” Going out as a record goalscorer was a fitting send-off for me back then.
“But that’s in the past now, and I’m looking ahead, because RB Leipzig has grown over the last two years, just like I have.”
Werner scored 23 goals in 89 games for Chelsea, helping them win the Champions League in 2021.
When the Blues signed him in the summer of 2020, he was one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, attracting interest from Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid.
During his first season with Leipzig, he scored 95 goals in 159 games across all competitions after joining from Stuttgart in 2016.
Werner, however, was unable to replicate his goal-scoring form in the English Premier League, scoring just 10 times in two seasons.
He did, however, play an important role in Chelsea’s run to European success in his first season, scoring in the second leg of the semi-final against Real Madrid.
Chelsea initially discussed Werner returning to Leipzig on loan, but that has now turned into a permanent deal.
During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, Werner hinted that he might be happier elsewhere, prompting Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to respond, “I would be one of the happiest people on the planet having a contract with Chelsea.”
Werner is regarded as one of the most popular players on the training ground, and it is widely acknowledged at Chelsea that he worked tirelessly despite failing to score enough goals.
Despite this, as well as the pressure and criticism he was subjected to, he remained a positive influence at Chelsea and was admired by the club’s fans for his efforts.
Werner thanked fans for their support in an Instagram post shortly after the move was announced, writing, “I will never forget how you guys stood behind me in good and in difficult times!”
“Today marks the end of my journey with Chelsea FC,” he added.
👋 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/ak5cSXiqbR
— Timo Werner (@TimoWerner) August 9, 2022
