Bayer 04 fans, who want to get a first impression of the new squad, can drop by at the BayArena. The first session at 10.00 CET on Tuesday morning will see at least nine first team players on the training ground. The only truly new player will be Kevin Volland signed from Hoffenheim with great expectations on the part of Bayer 04. Levin Öztunali and Danny da Costa return after loan periods at Werder Bremen and Ingolstadt respectively looking to establish themselves in the Werkself squad and goalkeeper Niklas Lomb is another returnee.
Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah will be the last two to join the Bayer 04 pre-season after earning a well deserved summer break following Germany’s exit from Euro 2016 in the semi-final defeat against France. They belong to a group of nine players who return late due to commitments at the Euros or the Copa America: Chicharito, Charles Aránguiz, Hakan Calhanoglu, Admir Mehmedi, Julian Baumgartlinger, Ramazan Özcan and Tin Jedvaj. Benjamin Henrichs and Lukas Boeder are away with the Germany Under 19 side competing at the European Championships on home soil.
Another major event is also on the horizon. Germany coach Horst Hrubesch is set to announce his squad for the Olympic Games in Rio next week. The football tournament in Brazil from 4 to 20 August with Germany in Group C alongside Mexico, South Korea and Fiji. Bayer 04 candidates for inclusion in the Germany squad are Julian Brandt, Levin Öztunali and possibly Lars Bender – the Werkself captain in one of three players over the age of 23. Left back Wendell misses out on a slot in the Brazil team due to ongoing rehab following his ankle ligament injury.
First friendly on Friday
Following the performance tests on Monday head coach Roger Schmidt will lead training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10.00 and 16.00 each day. There will be a morning training session on Friday ahead of the first friendly against SC Verl (19.00 CET) as part of the short training camp in Marienfeld from 15 to 17 July.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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