United States forward Aron Johannsson has left Bremen to focus on his rehab training in his native Iceland, Bundesliga club Werder Bremen have announced.
Johannsson, 25, joined Bremen from AZ Alkmaar last summer, but was limited to only six appearances and two goals for the Bundesliga club until he was ruled out with hip and groin problems last September.
He needed to undergo surgery in late October, and was expected back on the pitch in January. However, his recovery did not go according to plan and last week Bremen ruled out the attacker for the rest of the season.
On Friday, the Bundesliga strugglers announced Johannsson has on his own request left Bremen for Iceland, where he will continue his rehab training on what the club said was a "nerve irritation in the region of his right hip."
Aron #Johannsson wird die Reha in seiner Heimat Island fortsetzen, @aronjo20 reist heute ab. https://t.co/RElsBHRmBR pic.twitter.com/v16Gi8nfwd
- SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) April 1, 2016
"We've met Aron's desire to continue his rehab training in Iceland in the upcoming weeks," Bremen CEO Thomas Eichin was quoted on the official club website. "In close coordination with our medical department he will continue his rehab program and work with a physiotherapist he has known since his youth."
The Alabama-born player was raised in Iceland after his parents had finished university in the United States. Eichin explained the club hoped the change of scenery and reunion with his family can help Johannsson regain full fitness.
"You should not forget the psychological aspect. We hope that the closeness to his family will have a positive effect on his recovery process," he said.