"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."
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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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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