
The former world class player and captain of the Spain international team, Chema Bohorquez, dropped in to run the session. Jonathan Tah, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and all the other Werkself players took part. Tackling in rugby is a different proposition from football.
Bernhard’s followers
It was off to the golf course straight after that. The aim was not to run though all the Olympic sports but instead a Werkself course was set up in Zell am See. Golfing legend Bernhard Langer holds the record for the best round and several of the Werkself pros showed their ability with a driver. Inspired by Wendell, Kevin Volland hit the longest drive of the evening.
Bayer 04 and SalzburgerLand
As a son of the Salzburg region Julian Baumgartlinger is much in demand at the moment. Accordingly, he was well received at the press conference at the golf course. Along with Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade, sporting director Rudi Völler and Roger Schmidt he joined Leo Bauernberger, the director of SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH, plus Renate Ecker, head of Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus GmbH in front of the impressive club house to field questions from German and Austrian journalists. “I’m not surprised Bayer 04 are so happy to come here,” said the 28-year-old against the backdrop of a magical Alpine panorama.
Three returnees
Talking about Julian Baumgartlinger: The Austrian, along with his fellow countryman Ramazan Öczan was suffering with groin problems but both are now fit again. Both completed the full morning training session and joined in with the rugby session. The same goes for Wendell. The Brazilian fell awkwardly on Sunday so he was unable to give his all.
One departure
The Werkself squad has shrunk a little. Malcolm Cacutalua, who was in SalzburgerLand up to Saturday, has signed for Arminia Bielefeld. At Bayer 04 the 21-year-old, who spent the past two seasons on loan at VfL Bochum, won the DFB Under 19 Cup as captain in 2013.
#B04inAustria – Get close up
Anyone who wants to know what’s happening at the heart of the Werkself has a chance up to Tuesday night. Up to then the Snapchat story on bayer04snaps is available online with Jonathan Tah talking to fans on Monday. All other information and background details are available as ever using the hashtag #B04inAustria – on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Bayer 04 have named Jorginho, a 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, an official club legend. He is the second former Werkself player, after Paulo Sergio, to be accorded this special honour. For many years, the former Leverkusen defender has been deeply committed to helping people in need in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 25 years ago, Jorginho launched the Bola pra Frente project, through which he uses the money he earned as a player – including during his time at Bayer 04 – to support children and young people in the favelas in particular. During a trip to Brazil lasting several days, Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, assured Jorginho of the club’s support for Bola pra Frente for at least another five years.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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