The captain of the U20 national side won the World Cup in 2014 with Germany and at Leverkusen she became a prospect for the full international side. She received her first call-up to the Germany squad in September 2015.
In the current campaign, the goalscoring defender and key player for the Werkself Women (three Bundesliga goals for Bayer 04), including her last-minute winner in the 2-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, made a significant contribution to one of the two Leverkusen wins this season
Knaak, who is studying psychology at the University of Cologne, wants to give 100 per cent for Bayer 04 right to the end as she made clear: "I've always felt really at home at Leverkusen and I'm very grateful for my time here where I’ve developed really well in personal and sporting terms thanks to the great confidence shown by the club. I believe a new sporting challenge is the right step for my development and I'm looking forward to it. Until then we will give our all in our aim of staying up."
Head coach Thomas Obliers: "Her transfer is a loss for us both on a human and sporting level. Rebecca Knaak has always given 100 per cent for Bayer 04 and now she wants to take the next step so we wish you much success and, above all health, and fitness."
Linda Peckhaus, head of Women's football: "Rebecca Knaak joined us when she was very young and has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, above all on a personal level. We are proud that Rebecca, at the age of 20, is already one of the most experienced players who bears a lot of responsibility. We'd like to thank her for her commitment over the past four years and wish her every success in the future."
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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