USA striker Josh Sargent: "I'm really happy at Werder Bremen"
Josh Sargent says he has no regrets about leaving his native USA as a 17-year-old to pursue his soccer dream in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.
Sargent joined Bremen from Missouri's St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club in September 2017, initially beginning his initiation on an unofficial level before signing pro terms upon turning 18 in February 2018.
He was handed his Bundesliga debut 10 months later on the back of some impressive displays in front of goal for the Werder U23s, and is now primed for his first full campaign of top-flight football.
"I left the USA to follow my dream," Sargent told Bremen's official club website ahead of the 2019/20 season. "I felt homesick at the start, but now I feel great in Bremen and at Werder.
"I definitely feel happier and better this summer. I’m also noticing it in the way my teammates treat me both on and off the pitch.
"I'm not sure exactly what the coach has planned for me this season, but all I can do is train as hard as possible. I can only control what's in my power."
Sargent has done a good job of that so far.
After rattling off seven goals in 12 Regionalliga appearances for the Bremen reserves, the flame-haired forward made his long-awaited senior debut as a second-half substitute in a Bundesliga match against Fortuna Düsseldorf on 7 December 2018.
He opened his account with his first touch, and has since added one goal in nine further Bundesliga outings to his résumé.
Watch: Chapter One of Josh Sargent's Bundesliga adventure
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Undeterred following his surprise omission from Gregg Berhalter's US 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad earlier in the summer, Sargent has continued to make all the right noises with the Bremen senior side in pre-season.
The American has been scoring goals and recently said he "is in the form of my life", while coach Florian Kohfeldt has teased "a bigger role" for the seven-time USMNT international in the months ahead - not that the 19-year-old is about to take his foot off the gas.
"Every goal is a small boost in terms of self-confidence for a forward," Sargent admitted. "Especially the goal [in the friendly] against Cologne was very nice and a good building block to work from, but I don't want that goal to remain my highlight for the season (laughs).
"You go to training every day, give your all and try to be recognised for your efforts. Every day is a battle between us forwards. All the forwards are so talented and we all want the same job. You can never be certain [of your role]."
Sargent's personal objectives for the new season are, unsurprisingly, "more goals, more minutes".
He also sees a top-four finish as a realisable aim for a Werder team that only missed out on a European finish by one point in 2018/19.
"I said to a group of journalists that I would love to reach the Champions League," he explained. "It’s good to get another chance to say that.
"I mean it's best to go into a season setting yourself the highest possible goal to achieve. I think that's a healthy mindset to have, that’s how I am – I always want the best possible.
"We will score as many points as we can and if, at the end of the season, that qualifies us for the Champions League, I'm sure no one will have any complaints."
Related news
Blockbuster weekend of football ahead on Matchday 31
Matchday 31 this weekend may well prove to be a truly defining moment of the campaign at both ends of the table, with a series of huge fixtures on the cards.
What can be confirmed this matchday?
Leverkusen are already champions, but could we see a first team relegated this weekend? Or more Champions League qualifiers confirmed? Find out what can be decided on Matchday 31...
Who's in danger of being relegated?
Two teams will go down automatically, another will get a shot at redemption via the relegation play-off. Find out which teams are at the wrong end of the table...