“Kai has played for us for ten years including four seasons in the first team. During that time, he’s become an international player and has already made brilliant achievements despite his youth,” declared sporting managing director Rudi Völler. He believes the 21-year-old is “already world class and definitely one of the best players ever to play for Bayer 04. In the next few years, Kai will prove what a great player he is in the extremely demanding English league.”
For sporting director Simon Rolfes, Havertz‘ departure is “obviously a loss in footballing terms. Kai is a wonderful player who deserves his future both in the Premier League and with Germany,” said Rolfes. “He will definitely make it at the highest level in England and provide an impressive example of how young players can develop at Bayer 04 – promoted and shaped in a team with great opportunities and ambition.”
Havertz leaves Leverkusen, where he progressed from the Kurtekotten Academy into an exceptional player the target of nearly all the top European clubs, with thoroughly divided feelings: “I’ve been here so long with so many people – with coaches, teammates, staff and fans – and experienced wonderful things. You don’t just forget that by changing clubs,” said the attacking midfielder. “I’d like to thank everybody at Leverkusen, who have helped and supported me over the ten years, from the bottom of my heart. I grew up here and became an adult here – as a player and also as a person,” said Havertz. “But the time has come for a new start. And I’m looking forward it.”
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.
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Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.
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