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."
Return leg in London: tonight, Thursday 18 April (kick-off 21:00 CEST), the Werkself visit West Ham United. All the information you need on the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg at the London Stadium is in the Matchday News.
Show moreAfter the week’s celebrations of the club’s first ever league title, Bayer 04 are now focused once again on their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg away at West Ham United on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CEST). The Werkself are in a good position with a 2-0 lead from the first game, but it’s not over yet, as head coach Xabi Alonso and midfielder Granit Xhaka stressed at their pre-match press conference in London on Wednesday evening.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has launched the vote for the Bundesliga Team of the Season. As of now, fans of the Werkself can select no fewer than eight Bayer 04 players in the top XI of the 2023/24 campaign: on the shortlist are Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios, Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface. Voting closes on Monday 22 April at 9:00 CEST.
Show moreBayer 04 Women have the chance to surpass their points total from last season with three games remaining in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as they visit RB Leipzig for Matchday 19 on Friday (kick-off: 6.30pm CEST). Victory against the promoted side would take Robert de Pauw’s team onto 31 points, one more than they managed in their 22 fixtures in 2022/23.
Show moreIn contrast to the Werkself, West Ham United didn’t experience an exhilarating Sunday at the weekend: for the first time in 23 years, the Hammers lost the London derby at home to Fulham in the Premier League. This Thursday, 18 April (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), West Ham will now be looking to overturn the 2-0 first-leg deficit in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bayer 04.
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