The 21-year-old Brandt has played for the Werkself since the second half of the 2013/14 season and in the current campaign he has scored six goals and provided four assists to date. The Bremen-born forward has clocked up 24 goals and 25 assists in 126 Bundesliga games for Bayer 04. He has also found the back of the net three times in the DFB Cup including an important double in the quarter-final tie against Werder Bremen that paved the way for the semi-final against Bayern Munich on 17 April. And Brandt has also proved himself as a goalscorer in the Champions League, a competition Bayer 04 are looking to return to next season: "I always try to achieve the best possible results," declared Brandt after last weekend's draw against Augsburg. The contract extension, agreed well before the end of the season, demonstrates his belief that Bayer 04 are capable of playing in Europe's premier club competition again next term. Brandt: "I really feel at home here and I can see a great future. That was recently shown by contract extensions for Jonathan Tah and Lars Bender. Exactly like me, they are both convinced we can achieve something with this team. We want to win titles. And I really want to work with the other lads on that and also assume more responsibility in this team."
Sporting director Rudi Völler sees Brandt's commitment to Bayer 04 as confirmation of the Leverkusen concept of showing confidence in young and highly talented players early on and helping them to the highest possible level as well as encouraging them to develop: "Julian was already an exceptional player when he joined us as a 17-year-old. The level he's at now would probably not have been achieved as quickly without the playing time he's been able to amass with us," said Völler. "He had to show what he could do early on and he did it brilliantly. We're very happy he's opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in spite of other options at top European clubs. That shows Julian's character, great ambition and courage."
The Leverkusen number 10 showed his true mettle in the summer of 2017. After a disappointing season for Bayer 04 with a twelfth-place finish, Brandt said he wanted to "make amends and put things right." He felt "obliged to help put the club back to where it belongs and for me that means being in the top six," said Brandt.
Bayer 04 Women end their record-breaking season away at Wolfsburg on Sunday (kick-off: 2pm CEST). Although the Werkself know they will finish the campaign in fourth for their best-ever finish, head coach Roberto Pätzold has called on his team to produce one final big result.
Show moreBayer 04 Women will be without Caroline Kehrer and Charlotte Voll for the remainder of the season. Striker Kehrer suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during training, while goalkeeper Voll tore the syndesmosis in her right foot.
Show moreBayer 04 are again strongly represented in this year's Bundesliga Team of the Season from the games manufacturer EA Sports. Five Werkself players have been voted into the top XI for the 2024/25 season, a duo from the Bayer 04 Women's team are in the female Bundesliga TOTS. Bayer 04 were well represented last season with six male players in the top eleven, the most players from one club.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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