#23 – Bayer 04 sign Mitchell Weiser

"With Mitchell Weiser's signing, we've taken an important step in extending the depth of our squad and also increasing our quality," said the Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler. "That has become crucial against the background of our return to European football next season. In order to deal with the commitments on the European stage in addition to the Bundesliga and DFB Cup and continue to be successful, we need to have like-for-like and high quality alternatives in all positions," added Völler. "Over recent seasons he has shown what a great talent he is. But we can see he's not yet exhausted his potential. Mitchell has everything to develop into an absolutely top player here at Bayer 04 in the next few years."

Weiser, 23 last month and with a contract to 2023, will wear the 23 shirt at Leverkusen. A numbers game with symbolic character - at the age off 23, he headed the Germany U21 team to victory against Spain in the final of the European Championships in 2017. His lucky number will accompany him at Leverkusen. "23 is my absolute favourite number. It's great I can have it here too," declared Weiser.

The objectives for next season are clear for the technically gifted, and versatile on the right wing, son of the Leverkusen U17 coach Patrick Weiser. "Bayer 04 are a great team and I've always enjoyed watching them. They play attractive, flexible, quick and aggressive football. I'm really looking forward to being part of it over the next few years and I want to make a contribution to us being successful in the future."