“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.”
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
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In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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