
"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 European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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