"We are happy the matter is finally settled," said Rudi Völler in response the decision. The Bayer 04 sporting director emphasised, "at the end of the day there was no other possible decision. We completed the transfer taking into account all of the recognised rules and directives. It's a pity that River Plate put forward a different interpretation and denied the player's wishes to move under the agreed transfer terms."
Coach Heiko Herrlich is also very happy that the transfer dispute has been resolved, "Lucas has had to suffer the most. Now, a much awaited stage of his life can begin and we finally have the player who can help us with his ability," said Herrlich.
The 24-year-old Argentina international signed a contract at Bayer 04 to 30 June 2022. "We've had our eye on Lucas Alario for a while. He has progressed very well in the past two years and is now one of the best strikers in South America," declared Rudi Völler. "That's why he attracted so much attention from top clubs. We are happy that he's signed for us. He has not fully exhausted his potential and we are convinced that he will continue along his promising path at Bayer 04."
Heiko Herrlich describes the qualities of the 1.85 m tall new signing, who he has been able to watch closely in training in recent weeks, as follows: "Lucas has excellent technique, outstanding ability to finish, is good in the air and knows exactly how he should act as the central striker to help the team. In addition, he is determined to keep on improving. He can be very valuable to us with that mentality."
In the last two years, Lucas Alario played for the Argentinian top-flight club River Plate Buenos Aires. He scored 41 goals in 82 appearances for River Plate and also provided 13 assists. He also won the Copa Libertadores with the club in 2015 and was also the top goalscorer in winning the Copa Argentina in 2017. "Bayer 04 are a big club with ambitious targets. Several South American players have already made their breakthrough in Europe at Leverkusen," declared the striker who played his first full international for Argentina in September 2016. "I'm very happy to be here and I'd like to help the club achieve their targets."
Alario made his professional debut at the age of 18 with Club Atlético Colón. He joined River Plate in 2015. Diego Placente moved from the Argentinian record champions to Leverkusen in 2001. To date, he was the only other Argentinian at Bayer 04 to play for the Werkself for four years with 171 appearances and in 2002 he was in the team that played in the final of the DFB Cup and also in the Champions League final.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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