"Of course, it's a great story. Emre came through the ranks at Kurtekotten. A striker with an excellent goalscoring instinct," explained Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes. "He was very prolific in the youth Bundesliga and has already shown his potential with the first team. Now he has the opportunity to carry on developing at a high level. He has the ability and the ambition to achieve that."
Emrehan Gedikli is currently in the Germany U18 squad and has played 43 games and scored 43 goals in the U19 and U17 youth leagues. He made his first-team debut in the Europa League. In the home game against Hapoel Beer Sheva in the group stages, he came on late as a substitute for Karim Bellarabi. He was a substitute away at Nice and he played 45 minutes in the home game against Slavia Prague.
"That's obviously given me a taste for more," said Gedikli, who started a course to become a sports and fitness executive in the summer of 2019 at Bayer 04. "I've got a lot to thank Bayer 04 for. I'd like to pay that back with good performances. I'm passionate about the club and I want to make the grade in professional football."
Arsenal, one of the favourites in the UCL, visit the BayArena for the first leg in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16. Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, two long-serving Bayer 04 players, are set to return to the BayArena for the first time since leaving the club. As part of the match against the Gunners, fans can look forward to exciting Sound of Dreams festival activities at the stadium. Club members can also secure another SoD Unplugged ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Today’s matchday news.
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A Champions League showdown at the BayArena awaits. On Wednesday night, 11 March (kick-off: 18:45 CET), the Werkself face Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Ahead of the clash with the Premier League leaders, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the Gunners' exceptional strength at set-pieces, a returning striker and "believing in yourself". Forward Christian Kofane also spoke about the approach to the Round of 16 tie and congratulated his personal idol - whose previous success also motivates him for forthcoming challenges.
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There is no question Arsenal are one of the top favourites to win the UEFA Champions League. Spanish coach Mikel Arteta's team won all of their matches in the league phase of the competition. On Wednesday night, 11 March (kick-off: 18:45 CET), the Gunners, who also lead the Premier League, will play the first leg in the UCL Round of 16 at the BayArena. Two former Leverkusen players are particularly looking forward to the clash at their old stomping ground. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Werkself welcome FC Augsburg to the BayArena on Bundesliga matchday 30 in the 2025/26 season. The match on Saturday, 18 April kicks off at 15:30 CEST. Bayer 04 have organised a family matchday with exclusive offers for parents and children. Information on ticket sales.
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