After nearly three months, Jarell Quansah and Exequiel Palacios – who won bronze and silver respectively with England and Argentina at the World Cup – were back on the training pitches at the BayArena, working under head coach Carles Martínez for the first time. Before that, they met up with their new team-mates Miguel Gutiérrez and Afonso Moreira in the dressing room.
After the customary guard of honour formed by the squad and coaching staff, the Werkself got straight down to business with the returning duo. Alongside Quansah and Palacios, Axel Tape (illness) and Nathan Tella (muscle problems) also took part in the final training session before the team’s departure for England.
The Werkself will play the first of two friendly matches on English soil this week on Wednesday 12 August, away to Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Kick-off at the City Ground is at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST). Bayer 04 will broadcast the match live and exclusively for members in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The final warm-up match before the start of the new season is on Saturday 15 August against Premier League side Newcastle United. Kick-off at St James’ Park is at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST). Bayer 04 will stream the match live, free of charge, with login-required.
The matches can be watched on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and on Werkself.tv.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
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Video games developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga ‘Player of the Month’ award for September – Bayer 04’s Miguel Gutiérrez has made it into this select group after just four Bundesliga matches. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 27 September (23:59 CEST).
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Calling Bayer 04 fans: The 2026/27 campaign will really pick up pace after the international break – and if you want to get your hands on a very special Black and Red souvenir in time, now is your chance. Jerseys signed by Werkself players such as Patrik Schick and Edmond Tapsoba are now available via the web shop. It’s worth being quick, as the offer is valid only whilst stocks last.
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