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.
Bayer 04 are away in Bochum today (Saturday, 9 November) for Matchday 10 in the Bundesliga. Kick-off at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion is at 3.30pm CET. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women's team are enjoying the best Hinrunde in their Bundesliga history with 17 points from the last eight games. In the home game against newly promoted Turbine Potsdam, the team under Roberto Pätzold have all the cards in their hands on Sunday (kick-off: 14.00 CET) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium to extend their impressive record to date – even though the coach is not in the dugout due to suspension.
Show moreAmine Adli has agreed a contract extension at Bayer 04 to 2028. In interview, the 24-year-old talks about his new contract, Jeremie Frimpong's gesture of solidarity with the jersey and his aims for the years ahead.
Show moreThe final international break of the year is coming up. After the Bundesliga game away to VfL Bochum on Saturday, 9 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET), a number of Bayer 04 players will be in action including in the final group matches in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 or in the next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The latest updates.
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