The 21-year-old Brandt has played for the Werkself since the second half of the 2013/14 season and in the current campaign he has scored six goals and provided four assists to date. The Bremen-born forward has clocked up 24 goals and 25 assists in 126 Bundesliga games for Bayer 04. He has also found the back of the net three times in the DFB Cup including an important double in the quarter-final tie against Werder Bremen that paved the way for the semi-final against Bayern Munich on 17 April. And Brandt has also proved himself as a goalscorer in the Champions League, a competition Bayer 04 are looking to return to next season: "I always try to achieve the best possible results," declared Brandt after last weekend's draw against Augsburg. The contract extension, agreed well before the end of the season, demonstrates his belief that Bayer 04 are capable of playing in Europe's premier club competition again next term. Brandt: "I really feel at home here and I can see a great future. That was recently shown by contract extensions for Jonathan Tah and Lars Bender. Exactly like me, they are both convinced we can achieve something with this team. We want to win titles. And I really want to work with the other lads on that and also assume more responsibility in this team."
Sporting director Rudi Völler sees Brandt's commitment to Bayer 04 as confirmation of the Leverkusen concept of showing confidence in young and highly talented players early on and helping them to the highest possible level as well as encouraging them to develop: "Julian was already an exceptional player when he joined us as a 17-year-old. The level he's at now would probably not have been achieved as quickly without the playing time he's been able to amass with us," said Völler. "He had to show what he could do early on and he did it brilliantly. We're very happy he's opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in spite of other options at top European clubs. That shows Julian's character, great ambition and courage."
The Leverkusen number 10 showed his true mettle in the summer of 2017. After a disappointing season for Bayer 04 with a twelfth-place finish, Brandt said he wanted to "make amends and put things right." He felt "obliged to help put the club back to where it belongs and for me that means being in the top six," said Brandt.
The Colombian midfielder Gustavo Puerta is set to join Hull City on permanent terms from 1 July. Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Championship club originally agreed a season-long loan in the summer with an option to buy included in the contract. A permanent move to Hull City has been triggered by the number of league appearances Puerta has made this term.
Show moreThe Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.
Show moreAway fans take note: Tickets for the forthcoming away game for the Werkself against FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST) are exclusively available on the Bayer 04 app. The tickets are available at once and as usual under the 'Profil' tab by clicking on the 'Meine Tickets' button.
Show moreFlap up, screen on: With the help of the new Bayer 04 tactics truck, training content and match action for the Werkself as well as tactical graphics can now be shown and discussed on the training ground.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
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