"We are happy to go into the new season with these two top people," said Simon Rolfes, currently sporting director and from 1 July sporting managing director at Bayer 04. "We want to keep on improving in all areas and work at the highest level. That also obviously includes the area of fitness, which is of crucial importance in professional football."
Ismael Camenforte Lopez joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2021. After studying at the University of Barcelona the 38-year-old Spaniard worked as fitness coach at FC Barcelona for seven years plus 18 months at the MLS club New York City FC. The Catalan returned to Europe from the USA in August 2020 to work as a fitness coach with Denmark.
Markus Müller has joined Leverkusen from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 36-year-old worked as a fitness coach with the Foals for six years. Müller, who completed his bachelor degree at the German Sports University in Cologne, previously worked in a similar position at the Borussia Dortmund academy for two years.
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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