Werder Bremen’s 19-year-old USA international Josh Sargent is ready and raring to go ahead of a potentially breakout Bundesliga campaign, targeting "more goals and more games" in 2019/20.

After officially joining Werder upon turning 18 in February 2018, Sargent scored just 88 seconds into his professional debut for the Green-Whites in a 3-1 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf last December.

He ended the season with two goals from 10 Bundesliga appearances - only one of which was a start - and with a full pre-season with the Bremen first team behind him, the seven-time USMNT international is itching for even more opportunities to impress in the months ahead.

"I feel really good right now, especially compared to my first year at Werder. I’ve learned a lot in this time, also about my body," Sargent told Weser-Kurier.

"I worked hard with Werder’s fitness coaches. It was about becoming stronger and stronger - but not too much; after all, I still want to be able to walk!

"I am very happy here at Werder at the moment. Now it's about getting more playing time. I'll do anything for it because that's my goal for the new season: more goals and more games."

Watch: Josh Sargent scored with his first touch on his Bundesliga debut!

Sargent's ambition and confidence have already served him well over the course of his burgeoning career, but greater game time won’t come easy. Niclas Füllkrug and Luc Ihorst have come in over the summer, adding further competition to a front line that also boasts Milot Rashica, Johannes Eggestein, Martin Harnik and Claudio Pizarro.

"There are again a lot of players in the squad for the same positions, I do not know if my chances have increased," Sargent admitted. "I can only influence what I give and do. I work as hard as I can to convince the coach to let me play more often."

After a season in and out of the pro side, Sargent says he is now well accustomed to the demands and playing style of Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt. He's open to trying new things, too.

"I'm now more familiar with how the coach wants to play," he explained.

"The coach has sometimes told me after a good finish that you cannot teach it. I think I have a nose for goal in the box. Scoring goals is my favorite pastime, it happens instinctively. That's why playing as a centre-forward suits me best, but I play wherever the coach wants me to.

"The main thing is that I have more playing time. I hope to make my breakthrough soon. If it happens in the new season, it would be great."

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!

Speaking after a 4-0 pre-season victory over Eibar, Kohfeldt praised his young charge's performance. "I was very happy with Josh and his interplay with Yuya [Osako].

"He'll definitely play a role for us this year."

Sargent's first full season in the Bundesliga will be Pizarro's last of a storied career. The American, who is 21 years younger than the Peruvian, says he is determined to learn as much as he can from the legendary 'Piza' before the veteran goal-getter hangs up his boots next summer.

"Claudio is a great help on and off the pitch," revealed Sargent. "He's great at communicating with the whole team.

"On the pitch, he helps me with tips on many little things. Passing, movement... he is also very important in terms of mentality."

About the clubs

SV Werder Bremen

wohninvest WESERSTADION