Central defender Tapsoba has signed a contract to 30 June 2026 and the modified contract of winger Diaby now runs to the summer of 2025. "Both of them are not only extremely talented players with outstanding potential. Edmond and Moussa are already absolute key players in spite of their young age," declared Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler. "And they will get even better in the coming years and be an important element of our Bayer team in the future."
For Simon Rolfes, the two contract extensions mean " a confirmation of the development of the club. Both are spectacular players who have what it takes to play for the really big clubs in Europe," said the sporting director. "Their long-term commitment at Leverkusen once again proves we are a very attractive club for young players all over the world and that we are able to compete in this respect with the biggest clubs. I'm sure Edmond and Moussa will make even bigger names for themselves in the black and red kit."
Edmond Tapsoba's extension to a five-year contract agreed last year is based on the good experiences the Burkina Faso international has made in his first 12 months at Leverkusen: "My first year here has been fantastic. The team is young and hungry, the Bundesliga is demanding and has a great level. I think we can achieve a lot together."
Moussa Diaby has also extended his long-term contract by another year. "Because this team plays exactly the type of football that suits me and my abilities. With lots of possession and pace but it is also very technically adept. It's incredible fun with these lads," assured the Frenchman. "And with this fun comes success."
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month.
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Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.
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The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
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Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
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The draw for the knockout play-offs of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League was made on Friday, 30 January and saw Bayer 04 paired with Olympiacos. It’s a reunion with the Greek side following the Werkself’s 2-0 loss in Athens on Matchday 7 of the league phase.
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