"With Kai Havertz we have once again brought a promising youth player through to our first team squad," said Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade. "That fits in completely with our strategy of trying to pave a direct way for our talented youngsters from the Kurtekotten Academy into the BayArena. Kai Havertz and Benjamin Henrichs represent our successful concept of developing our home-grown players into outstanding Bundesliga players."
The versatile Havertz, awarded a silver Fritz Walter Medal by the DFB, was one of the outstanding newcomers in the Bundesliga last season. "Kai has special qualities and beyond that is also blessed with a maturity that raises him above other players of his age," said Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler. "He has technical ability, is capable of scoring and is good in the air. After a great start in professional football we want to continue to support Kai's development. He has huge potential that will unfold in the next few years."
For the youth international, signing the contract is a long-cherished desire: "I've worked for this moment over the past few years. I feel great's satisfaction and pride. I'm happy to finally really being part of it all after last season when I still had to finish school. I've got my A-levels now and a professional contract at Bayer 04 - it feels great."
Welcome back! On Tuesday morning, 11 August, Jarell Quansah and Exequiel Palacios – the last of the Werkself’s World Cup participants – returned to training. The two medallists and their team-mates are set to play their final two pre-season friendlies in England this week before the start of competitive fixtures.
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Bayer 04 have unveiled the new third kit for the 2026/27 season. The design, developed by kit supplier New Balance, combines the city’s colours with symbols that have defined Leverkusen and Bayer 04 for generations.
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Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Montrell Culbreath for the start of the 2026/27 season. The forward injured his foot injury in yesterday’s preseason friendly against Spanish top-flight side Sevilla (2–1), which rules him out of action for the time being. Culbreath’s diagnosis is not yet complete; further examinations are to follow in the coming days.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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