
“Organised club football plays an important role in our society. We see that particularly when we have to make do without them,” said Meinolf Sprink, Director of Fans/Community at Bayer 04. “We have to thank countless clubs for their outstanding voluntary commitment with football as a constant companion in our lives.”
The two main winners last year were the two football clubs FC Hertha Bonn 1918 (FVM) and SC Viktoria Rott 1989 (FVN). The committee with association presidents Bernd Neuendorf (FVM) and Peter Frymuth (FVN) plus Leverkusen official Marc Adomat is looking for a large number of convincing applications this year.
Interested clubs from FVM and FVN can apply immediately with their projects – either via e-mail (wir04helfen@bayer04.de) or by post to Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, reference: Ehrenamtspreis, Bismarckstraße 122 – 124, 51373 Leverkusen.
Please note that only submitted commitment can be assessed. Closing date is 30 October. The winners will receive their award at the BayArena as part of the DFB Volunteering matchday.

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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