…the player Santiago Arias: I will do my best here every day. I've already been able to gain a lot of experience in my career so far. I want to bring that to the team and make my contribution to achieving the club's targets.
…the South American teammates at the Werkself: Of course, they are a help to me; being with them is like being in a small South American family. But I quickly found my feet in the Netherlands in my time at PSV Eindhoven (2013 to 2018, ed.). I don't think I'll need a lot of time to settle in.
…the approach of his former club Atlético Madrid in comparison Bayer 04: The biggest difference is definitely the amount of possession. The main thing under Diego Simeone in Madrid was keeping a clean sheet. Here we want to be attacking and get on the front foot – I like that.
…a possible appearance at the weekend in the clash with VfB Stuttgart: I feel I'm an established part of the squad now. I'm fit and I'm just waiting for the coach's decision.


Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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