Sporting managing director Rudi Völler, who leaves his current post on 1 July to join the Bayer 04 Leverkusen shareholders committee, was very happy with the "result of many constructive meetings in the past few weeks. We were able to show one of the best German players in the coming decade important and convincing perspectives: above all, of course, a great squad who can help Florian display his strengths," said the 62-year-old. "Florian knows we will be competitive at Leverkusen in the coming years on the national and European stages. And he will be an important part of that. I'm looking forward to watching this lad play football in a Werkself shirt for a long time."
Sporting director Simon Rolfes, who will take over Völler’s role and duties in a few days, said about the new agreement with Wirtz: "In trusting and very good discussions with Florian and his family we were able to continue with commitment to the path we took in January 2020. The fact we have extended the contract again here and now underlines the absolute satisfaction on both sides. The partnership between Bayer 04 and Florian Wirtz is already an exceptional success story," declared Rolfes. "In that respect, we want to write another chapter. Florian is a special player. He has great sporting significance for our club and equally we can provide him with the best opportunities for a fantastic sporting career. We know we can still achieve a lot here together."
The 19-year-old Wirtz has played a key role in the Bayer 04 team for a long time. "The development over the last two years is almost breathtaking from my point of view and it was definitely not to be predicted in that form. It's clear to me that I also have to thank the team that makes it all incredible fun," explained Wirtz. "The lads are a decisive factor in me feeling at home here and everything has gone so well. We have a lot to give in ourselves and at this club. We want to show that to all Bayer 04 fans. And to those who aren't yet."
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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