"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.
Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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