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."
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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