Rafael Borré is heading back to his native continent with Internacional, after a memorable spell in Germany. - © IMAGO/Nordphoto
Rafael Borré is heading back to his native continent with Internacional, after a memorable spell in Germany. - © IMAGO/Nordphoto
bundesliga

Rafael Santos Borre: Who is Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League-winning striker on loan at Werder Bremen?

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Rafael Santos Borre hit a banger against Barcelona and was the man who sealed Eintracht Frankfurt's UEFA Europa League triumph in Seville. But what else is there to know about the Werder Bremen and Colombia international forward who will end his stay in Germany this summer and join Internacional Porto Alegre?

Stats correct as of 18 January 2024

Rafael Santos Borre

Age: 28 (born 15 September 1995)
Club: Werder Bremen (on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt)
Position: Forward
Country: Colombia (30 caps/ five goals)

Key stats

Borre won the 2014/15 Colombian League title with Deportivo Cali, contributing seven goals in nine appearances, including a hat-trick on only his third senior outing. The following campaign, the 5'8" forward got his first taste of the Copa Libertadores, a competition he would win with River Plate in 2018.

Borre averaged 0.61 goals per game in his final season at River Plate. - getty images

Borre lifted four titles across a four-year stint at River, but not before testing the waters in Europe for the first time. Despite not making a single senior appearance for Atletico Madrid, the Colombian's career took a turn for the better during a loan spell at La Liga rivals Villarreal, where he scored four goals in 30 outings in 2016/17.

Borre's numbers in a River shirt climbed further still. With 56 goals in 149 competitive matches, he ranks as the Argentine club's record scorer of the modern era. His eight strikes in 13 2020/21 Copa de la Liga matches represented a league high, emulating his tournament-leading efforts at the 2017/18 FIFA Club World Cup (three goals).

Borre joined Frankfurt in July 2021 as a replacement for the departing Andre Silva, and wasted little time in underscoring his quality in his debut Bundesliga season. The Barranquilla native made 31 league appearances (28 starts), and finished as the team's top scorer with eight goals and four assists.

Watch: All Rafael Borré's Bundesliga goals so far

Moreover, the right-footer added a further four strikes as the Eagles soared to UEFA Europa League glory, including a sensational long-range stunner in Barcelona, the equaliser in the final against Rangers and the decisive, title-winning penalty in the shootout in Seville. However, he was little more than a bit-part player following the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani, adding just two goals and two assists to his Bundesliga tally in 2022/23, before moving to Bremen on a season-long loan on deadline day. He has four goals in 14 Bundesliga games for the northern club.

Plays a bit like: Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez

A diminutive right-footed forward with twinkle toes and the ability to inflict damage from deep or as a fox in the box, Borre has more than a touch of former Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez about his game. A hard-working, intelligent player with a knack for finding space at the right time, Borre adds an extra dimension whenever he takes to the field.

Did you know?

Borre was hotly linked with a move to Rangers and Celtic of Scotland, as well as Italy's Lazio, before becoming the first Colombian national to sign for Frankfurt, on a deal through to 2025.

What they're saying

"Following Niclas Füllkrug's move to Borussia Dortmund, it was clear to us that we still would like to make a signing in attack. With Rafael, we have managed to do that. We're pleased that we have managed to sign him for Werder." - Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz

"Borre's one of Colombia's danger men, we have to watch him." - Brazil coach Tite, speaking at the 2021 Copa America

"Borre's killing it at River. He came to us when he was still very young, but his development since has been phenomenal." - Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone

"Rafael is a valuable player for us in lots of areas." - former Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner