"Thorsten Kirschbaum has great experience with a long time in the game and many appearances in the first and second divisions. He will have a positive effect on the training ground, sharpen everyone's awareness and he will push himself and his team-mates every day," said Bayer 04 sporting director Jonas Boldt. "We have three top-level keepers and are really well set up."
For Kirschbaum, the move to Europa League participants represents "a great opportunity at a top German club. Of course, it really appeals to me to be part of a team playing in Europe," declared Kirschbaum. "Everybody here can rely on me doing all I can to help Bayer 04 Leverkusen achieve their ambitious targets in three competitions."
Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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SV Wehen Wiesbaden undoubtedly envisaged a different start to the new season. After two matchdays, the Hessen side currently sit bottom of the Liga 3 table. On Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), SVWW host the Werkself in the first round of the DFB Pokal at their home ground, the BRITA Arena. It was there, in this very competition a year ago, that the club almost pulled off a massive upset. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Farid Alfa-Ruprecht is going out on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Bundesliga 2 side Hertha Berlin. The pacy winger will be at the Berlin club for one year.
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Heading towards the competitive start of the 2026/27 season together: the Werkself kicked off preparations for the DFB Pokal clash at third-tier SV Wehen Wiesbaden with an open session in front of their fans on Tuesday morning. Before the first-round tie on Saturday 22 August at 13:00 CEST - for which the away section is already sold out - there'll be one more open session on Thursday from 11:00 CEST, when fans have another chance to watch head coach Carles Martínez's men at work.
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