Bayer 04 have responded to the departure of striker Ivana Rudelic: "We wanted to do something in this position after Rudelic moved on to FC Bayern. We've succeeded by bringing in Mina Tanaka on loan," said Thomas Eichin, director of the Kurtekotten Performance Centre. And Linda Schöttler, general manager of Women's football at Bayer 04, is also happy with the transfer: "Being able to sign a six-time striker of the year from Japan is definitely something special. She is the first Japanese at our club. I'm happy that Mina Tanaka will gain her first experience abroad here with us."
The 26-year-old striker has already gained honours in Japan. In the Nadeshiko League, the top women's league in Japan, she was the top scorer in the years 2016 to 2019, was the striker of the year six times in succession, won the national Empress's Cup four times and also received the award as the best player in the league in 2018 and 2019. Tanaka has also established herself in the Japan team (39 caps, 16 goals) and she was in the side that won the Women’s AFC Asian Cup in 2018.
"I'm very happy and it fills me with pride to be able to play in Germany and for Bayer 04. I'm really glad to be able to take on this challenge. I've been able to follow the great development of the team in recent months and I can very much identify with the club. I will do all I can to help the team and the club achieve their targets," said the new signing looking forward to the coming months.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Starting with the 2026/27 season, Bayer 04 has created a permanent memorial space at the BayArena. In the upper section of Block A in the southeast corner of the stadium, Werkself fans can honour friends and family members with whom they have shared many special moments connected to Bayer 04. In the coming months, this space will be gradually expanded, in particular with the active support of the fans.
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Bayer 04 has secured a new premium partner in DXC Technology, a leading provider of enterprise technology and innovation. The club has agreed a partnership with DXC running until 30 June 2028. At the heart of the partnership is DXC’s role as an AI integration partner. The company is integrating Bayer 04’s previously separate digital systems into a unified fan journey that begins long before matchday and extends well beyond the stadium visit. As a partner of the women’s team and main sponsor of #B04eSports, DXC will be supporting two promising sections of the club during this period. DXC will also gain significant visibility as the sleeve partner of the women’s team in the DFB Pokal.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured a new premium partner in the form of DRIVIO. DRIVIO, already part of the club’s partner portfolio as a reliable car subscription partner for Bayer 04, will continue to support the club in this capacity and, with immediate effect, also join the premium group of companies that cooperate closely with the Werkself. The premium and car subscription partnership between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and DRIVIO will initially run until 30 June 2027.
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“Welcome home” was the message from a visually emotional fan in the direction of Moussa Diaby after Wednesday’s open training session. The French winger had just appeared on the BayArena training ground for the first time in three years following his return to Bayer 04. And before he took time for selfies and autographs, Diaby spoke to the media. Fellow new arrival Guéla Doué was also in action but not with the team for now.
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