The training camp in Rio de Janeiro has been in full swing since the start of the week. When Quansah and Kofane landed in the country of the five-time World Cup winners on Wednesday to join the squad, they received a warm welcome from their new teammates. In sweltering temperatures under the Brazilian sun, the duo first went into an ice bath – understandable after their journey to Brazil.
Today, Thursday, Quansah and Kofane had their first training session at Bayer 04 under head coach Erik ten Hag and on Brazilian soil. After the warm-up routine with the whole squad the players were divided up into groups. While some worked on different games and the goalkeepers trained separately as usual, Quansah and Kofane had a couple of rounds of football tennis and a rondo.
Quansah spoke to the media after the session and said: "I've had intensive days. The journey was long and I was rather tired yesterday. But I received a really warm reception and I'm glad to be here. A tour like this is something special and it's important for me to be here to get to know my new teammates and everybody around the team."
A player, who gave Quansah and Kofane a particularly warm welcome on Wednesday, was Nathan Tella. Quansah said about the Leverkusen winger born in England: "Of course, it's always great when somebody is friendly straightaway and somebody you can speak to openly and he tries to help you fit into the team straightaway. I'm very grateful for that."
In response to the question about his targets at Bayer 04 and his own playing style, the England U21 European Champion said: "My targets are very team based – the better the team is, the more I improve as a player. I like going into challenges hard but I have the required calm on the ball and generally in defence too. I learned a lot at Liverpool but now I'm really looking forward to Leverkusen. The last few years were very good for the club. Now it's a new era with a new coach and new teammates. It's a good chance to show what you can do."
Quansah, Kofane and Co. went back to the team hotel after the training session. Details of the other events on day three can be found HERE in the day three blog.
Alejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
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Day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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The Bayer 04 Women's first-team squad has taken on three homegrown players: Louisa Remien, Paula Schwartze and Amy Wrigge will be part of the Bundesliga team for the new season.
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At the Casa do Alemão, a small, cosy restaurant in the middle of Rio de Janeiro, the guests with Currywurst and German beer had the best view from the upper floor of the imposing mountain scenery surrounding the Brazilian metropolis. 30 Bayer 04 fans experienced this special atmosphere on Wednesday afternoon. For the first time, Werkself fans from Brazil and Germany met each other at an official meet & greet with club legend Paulo Sergio. In a high-spirited atmosphere, Sergio revealed one or two funny stories and the Bayer 04 fans had lively discussions with each other.
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Day two of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour can begin. Today, Wednesday 16 July, the Werkself have two training sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There will also be a meet & greet for fans with club legend Paulo Sergio. As usual, Bayer04.de will keep you up-to-date with on-site reports. The blog on day two of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings in local time).
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