Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham star joins new club hours after having contract ripped up

Timo Werner has joined MLS side San Jose Earthquakes just hours after having his contract terminated by RB Leipzig.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur man was limited to just three appearances this season for the Bundesliga outfit.

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Werner had returned to Leipzig in the summer after 18 months on loan at Spurs in the Premier League.

However, he played just 14 minutes in the Bundesliga this term, leading to the cancellation of his contract.

The 29-year-old wasn’t unemployed for too long, with San Jose Earthquakes announcing his arrival on a deal until 2028.

Signed as a designated player, Werner will wear the No.11 jersey and will join up with his new club after the birth of his child.

Speaking of his delight at the move, he said: “It’s always a big decision to go to America, but everything is there to be successful.

“The stadium and the facilities are beautiful, also, it really impressed me that an experienced manager like Bruce [Arena], who has had so much success in the league, flew over here to Germany to talk to me about the plan.

“The Earthquakes fans can expect to get a player who gives everything on the pitch, every game.

“Every club I’ve joined, I’ve wanted to win a trophy, in the end, I’ve always delivered, that’s why I want to come to San Jose – to win.” 

According to Sky Germany, Leipzig have paid a £1.73million settlement fee to Werner as part of his exit.

Werner’s woes

The forward re-joined the club in 2022 just two years after completing a £47.5million switch to Chelsea.

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Werner struggled to recapture the form of his first spell in Leipzig, though.

In his final season before moving to Stamford Bridge, he scored 28 goals in 34 Bundesliga appearances.

However, Werner has failed to reach double figures in the league during the five campaigns since.

His loan switch to Spurs was also hampered by injuries, whilst he was not part of the squad which won the Europa League in May.

Across his two spells in England, Werner scored 12 goals in 87 Premier League appearances.

Those woes in front of goal have also seen him go almost three years without an international call-up.

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Werner last played for Germany in a friendly against Belgium in March 2023.

Since making his debut under Joachim Low in 2017, he has scored 24 goals in 57 caps.

He was also part of the squads for both the 2018 World Cup and delayed Euro 2020.

Who is Werner’s next club?

The Quakes begin the new MLS season at home to Sporting Kansas City on February 21.

Despite being two-time MLS Cup champions, they have not won the title since 2003.

Currently managed by ex-national team boss Bruce Arena, San Jose missed out on last season’s MLS play-offs on goal difference after finishing tenth in the Western Conference.