Homegrown Katharina Prinz (left in photo) will play for FFC Recklinghausen in the Regional League West next season. Prinz started her playing career at Bayer 04 in 2009 and in 2013/14 she stepped up from the youth team to the senior squad before moving on to second division SV Meppen in 2016. The defender returned to her roots during the winter break in 2017/18. Prinz made a total of 30 appearances for Bayer 04.
Karoline Heinze (photo: centre) will be hanging up her boots. The 26-year-old, who joined Leverkusen from the then first division club FF USV Jena two years ago, has suffered from a thigh injury since the start of the season. Due to resulting back problems, she only made two appearances this term – out of a total of 19 games in a Bayer 04 shirt. Heinze is not completely giving up sport – she is studying Sport, Media and Communication at the German Sports University and now wants to focus on her master’s degree.
Saskia Meier came to Bayer 04 from Bundesliga club SC Sand in 2017. After relegation at the end of the 2016/17, she played a significant role in being promoted straight back to the the top flight in the next year. The defender played a total of 30 games for Leverkusen. The destination for the 23-year-old after the summer break remains to be confirmed.
Linda Schöttler, head of the women’s football section at Bayer 04: “We would like to thank all three players for their time here under the Bayer Cross and their commitment to our team. We wish them all the best for their future careers both sporting and professional.
Related News
Bayer 04 - 11.08.2026
Ahead of friendlies in England: Palacios and Quansah back in training
Welcome back! On Tuesday morning, 11 August, Jarell Quansah and Exequiel Palacios – the last of the Werkself’s World Cup participants – returned to training. The two medallists and their team-mates are set to play their final two pre-season friendlies in England this week before the start of competitive fixtures.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 11.08.2026
‘Made in Lev’: New Bayer 04 third kit
Bayer 04 have unveiled the new third kit for the 2026/27 season. The design, developed by kit supplier New Balance, combines the city’s colours with symbols that have defined Leverkusen and Bayer 04 for generations.
Show more
Women - 10.08.2026
Women: Wolfsburg and Bayern home tickets now on general sale
Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 09.08.2026
Culbreath to miss the start of the season, Andrich in luck
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Montrell Culbreath for the start of the 2026/27 season. The forward injured his foot injury in yesterday’s preseason friendly against Spanish top-flight side Sevilla (2–1), which rules him out of action for the time being. Culbreath’s diagnosis is not yet complete; further examinations are to follow in the coming days.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 08.08.2026
Bayer 04 extend Noah Mbamba’s contract and loan the Belgian to FC Lorient
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
Show more
