“I didn’t have to think twice”

WERDER.DE: Moin Olivier, welcome to SV Werder. What was your first day at the wohninvest WESERSTADION like?

Olivier Deman: I was pleasantly surprised – it’s a beautiful, big stadium. I’m happy to be here and have been warmly welcomed by everyone.

WERDER.DE: This is your first move to a new club as a professional footballer, having previously only moved between different youth set-ups in Bruges. How tough was it to leave home after so many years?

Olivier Deman: On the one hand, it’s a huge challenge, but on the other, it’s the right time for me to make this move. I was waiting for the right opportunity to arise and Werder was the right choice. In the end, that’s what life is like as a professional footballer and I’m looking forward to it.

WERDER.DE: Have you made the move on your own, or are your family going to be supporting you as well?

Olivier Deman: My family will come to visit often and watch lots of games. My girlfriend will join me here, so I won’t be alone.

I’m able to play here in the Bundesliga – one of the best leagues in the world. Therefore, it was the right step for me and an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to.

Olivier Deman

WERDER.DE: Why did you decide to make the move to Bremen?

Olivier Deman: It’s a big club. The fans are also a key part of that – the stadium is always full. The environment is super and I like the town. I’m able to play here in the Bundesliga – one of the best leagues in the world. Therefore, it was the right step for me and an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to.

WERDER.DE: What were your thoughts when you heard about interest from SVW? What did you make of the club beforehand?

Olivier Deman: I already knew a little bit about the club. I played FIFA as a kid and everyone knew Werder from that. As a result, Werder was a well-known club for me. Then you take a closer look at the team, what it’s like and what the town’s like. I didn’t need to think twice, I was certain that I wanted to be part of the team.

Olivier Deman’s first day in Bremen (Photo: W.DE).

WERDER.DE: You mentioned Diego and Pizarro. What are your memories of the two of them at Werder?

Olivier Deman: When I think of the time when Werder were at the very top, then I think about these players. When I played on the Playstation, they were the players who I selected. Also, when I first looked Werder up, there were lots of videos of the pair of them. They evoke memories of the club’s great past.

WERDER.DE: Let’s come back to you. Did you speak with anyone prior to making the move?

Olivier Deman: Naturally, I spoke with the head coach and the people here in Bremen, and then also with my advisors. They were already here beforehand and had a look around the town. I also exchanged messages with the national team coach (Domenico Tedesco) to find out what he thinks about Werder. I only heard good things.

WERDER.DE: You are the second Belgian to join Werder this summer after Senne Lynen. Was that a crucial factor? Did you know each other already?

Olivier Deman: It wasn’t really a decisive factor. The interest from Werder had been there for a few months and I didn’t know that he was coming as a result. It took a while for me to make the move here, but now I’ve finally arrived. It’s always great when you can directly chat to someone who already knows a little bit about the place. However, that wasn’t an added incentive for me to come here.

Deman is looking forward to playing at the wohninvest WESERSTADION (Photo: W.DE).

WERDER.DE: Playing in the Bundesliga is going to be a totally new experience for you. What do you expect from the league?

Olivier Deman: It’s one of the best leagues in the world. Only the Premier League is better than the Bundesliga. Last time I was with the national team, I spoke with a couple of teammates from Wolfsburg to find out how competitive the league is. Everything they said was positive and I consequently told myself that I wanted to go down that route. Then when Werder came in with an offer, it was an easy decision for me.

WERDER.DE: How would you describe yourself as a player?

Olivier Deman: I like to attack on the flank, whilst I also like to defend. I can run a lot, which is important in the system that Werder play. I enjoy whipping in a good cross or making the final pass in order to help the team, whether that’s in attack or in defence. I want to give 100 percent every day and in every game.

WERDER.DE: The next game is in just two days time. How will you manage to settle in as quickly as possible so that you’re able to strengthen the team as soon as possible?

Olivier Deman: I’ve been following the team for a number of weeks already and watched the first two games. I have also watched a couple of games from last year. I’ve spoken with the coaches and will try to play a part as soon as possible. I’m ready to help the team as soon as possible wherever they need me.

It’s a big club, everyone is nice and the support is crazy.

Olivier Deman

WERDER.DE: What have you made of the team over the past few weeks?

Olivier Deman: There’s a lot of quality in the team. It was a tough couple of fixtures to start the season, so now it’s important that we start winning. I was pleasantly surprised by the support and the atmosphere in the stadium, even when the results weren’t the ones we wanted. That really impressed me. It’s a big club, everyone’s nice and the support is crazy. I’m really looking forward to joining.

WERDER.DE: What are your ambitions and expectations for your time at Werder?

First and foremost we have four important games. It’s clear that we need to pick up some points and win some games. That’s my first aim. The Euros with the national team are also just around the corner, so I’d like to play as much as possible here. I want to play for Belgium and help the team have a good season at the same time. We’ll see how things go. Everything comes in time and I’m really looking forward to being at the club.

I’m able to play here in the Bundesliga – one of the best leagues in the world. Therefore, it was the right step for me and an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to.

Olivier Deman