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
Europa League - 15.10.2026
Follow the Werkself’s trip to Poznan ✈️🇵🇱
Bayer 04 make their first trip to Poland for over 30 years as they face Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The game kicks off at 18:45 CEST on Thursday, but the team will be preparing for the action on Wednesday with training, travel and pre-match press conferences. We’ll bring you all the latest news here…
Show more
Europa League - 15.10.2026
4–0 at Lech Poznan – Werkself extend winning run on European stage
Bayer 04 remain unbeaten in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. After winning the opener against NK Celje, the Werkself followed that up on Thursday night with a 4–0 win away at the Polish champions Lech Poznan. Patrik Schick, who came on as a substitute early in the game, scored twice from the penalty spot, and Malik Tillman also found the back of the net before half-time. The second half was a more subdued affair, with Ibrahim Maza scoring late on to seal the final 4-0 scoreline.
Show more
Youth - 15.10.2026
Zonal defence: Goalkeeping coach training course at the BayArena
Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
Show more
Europa League - 15.10.2026
Matchday news #LPOB04: First-ever game against Polish champions
A first for the Werkself: Today, Thursday 15 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Bayer 04 face Lech Poznan for the first time on matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League group. Although the Black and Reds have a flawless record against the only Polish opposition faced before, they must not underestimate the attacking ability and goal-scoring threat of the reigning champions from Poznan. Lech’s squad also includes two former Bundesliga players. Today's matchday news.
Show more
