
"Moussa Diaby is an extremely fast, technically strong striker whose qualities suit our game down to the ground," said sporting director Simon Rolfes after the second signing in the current transfer window following that of Kerem Demirbay. "Moussa is already very advanced at the age of 19. He played 34 games last season, an impressive number for a top European club like PSG. He's one of the really big French talents who will find ideal conditions here with us in Leverkusen to develop into an absolutely top player," added Rolfes.
Diaby, who will wear the number 19 shirt for Bayer 04, came through the youth ranks at Paris Saint-Germain and he was a regular for the French team at the U20 World Cup in Poland. The left-footer is happy "about a great chance to have a fresh start at a top German club where I can improve myself and my game. The move abroad into one of the best and most evenly balanced leagues in Europe is extremely exciting," said Diaby. "I'm very interested in Germany, the special type of football and the great stadiums. And of course, it's great to be in the Champions League with Bayer 04."
For Rudi Völler, the Diaby transfer means "we are once again a very attractive club for young top players. It's well known that you can quickly reach the highest level at Leverkusen and that we are willing to show our confidence and share responsibility early independent of age with appropriate performances," said the sporting managing director. "I'm sure Moussa Diaby will be really good for us with his great pace and his technique."

The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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This fan meeting got off to a rather unexpected start. On Sunday afternoon, the Bayer 04 managing directors had just welcomed the fans present at the team hotel for the traditional get-together at the training camp when Fernando Carro’s phone rang. The CEO, glancing towards managing director sport Simon Rolfes with a smile, said: “We’ll just have to answer that quickly.” When asked by the fans what the call was actually about, the pair left it open with a wink. Instead, Carro and Rolfes then spent over an hour happily answering the fans’ many other questions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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