"We are happy we’ve been able to agree to continue our partnership after very harmonious discussions," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler. "Karim has been with us since 2011 and he's developed into an outstanding Bundesliga player in his position here in Leverkusen. When he plays his high-speed football then he can make the difference."
Sporting director Simon Rolfes, who played alongside Bellarabi at Bayer 04 for several years, knows the strengths of the attacker very well: "He's lightning fast, has great technique, is a team player and is capable of scoring. Karim has been one of the top scorers and providers in our team for many years," declared Rolfes. "It was really important to us to extend his contract. We're really happy it's all worked out."
Having arrived in Leverkusen as a young talent from Eintracht Braunschweig, Bellarabi and Völler identify the close relationship between him and Leverkusen. "The fact I've been able to develop as a player is also down to the confidence I've always had here from the club – especially at the beginning when I had to battle with injuries as an unestablished player," said Bellarabi who went on to play for Germany in 2014 and in recent Bundesliga campaigns has regularly provided goals and assists. "In the future, I want to contribute to us all achieving our sporting targets. Bayer 04 are a great club, for many years at the top of the Bundesliga and also regularly in Europe."
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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