
The Werkself have arranged another friendly during an international break. That was also the case at the end of August when Heiko Herrlich's team lost 2-1 against VfL Bochum. The next break in the league and cup campaign sees Bayer 04 take on local third division club SC Fortuna Köln in a friendly on Thursday 5 October (15.00 CET, also at the Haberland Stadium).
There is another international break in the middle of November in between Bundesliga matchdays 11 and 12. The opponents on 9 November are MSV Duisburg who are newly promoted to the second division. The team coached by Ilia Gruev are currently eleventh in the table. The MSV squad includes former Leverkusen player Gerrit Nauber, who played for the Bayer 04 U17, U19 and Reserve teams between 2008 and 2012 . The match at the Haberland Stadium kicks off at 15.00 CET.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Bayer 04 have named Jorginho, a 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, an official club legend. He is the second former Werkself player, after Paulo Sergio, to be accorded this special honour. For many years, the former Leverkusen defender has been deeply committed to helping people in need in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 25 years ago, Jorginho launched the Bola pra Frente project, through which he uses the money he earned as a player – including during his time at Bayer 04 – to support children and young people in the favelas in particular. During a trip to Brazil lasting several days, Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, assured Jorginho of the club’s support for Bola pra Frente for at least another five years.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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