Diaby played for the Werkself from 2019 to 2023, establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga’s top wingers and earning a call-up to the French national team, before moving to Aston Villa in the Premier League. At Al-Ittihad, Diaby then formed the Saudi Professional League’s most successful strike partnership with Karim Benzema, Europe’s former Footballer of the Year. The club won the league title in 2025 in commanding fashion in a league packed with top stars.
“In Moussa Diaby, we have brought a superb forward back to the Bundesliga. With his exceptional pace and dribbling ability, he will add further quality to our attacking play and create even more opportunities,” said Simon Rolfes. The Bayer 04 managing director sport is also delighted to welcome a player “who has a fantastic attitude to his profession, leaves nothing to chance and lives up to this standard in his everyday life as well. It’s not just Bayer 04 fans who can look forward to seeing Moussa Diaby. He will be an asset to the whole Bundesliga.”
The 11-time France international returns with mixed emotions to the club where his career really took off following his move from Paris Saint-Germain. “I came to Germany as a very young and inexperienced player. Bayer 04 Leverkusen placed a great deal of trust in me and always supported me,” said the now 27-year-old, who scored 49 goals and provided 48 assists in 173 matches during his time at the club. “I haven’t forgotten that, and Simon has always kept in touch with me. When the enquiry came in and the move became possible, I didn’t hesitate for a second. The club has grown even bigger in the meantime – competing for titles with Bayer 04 is a wonderful prospect, a huge goal of mine.”
“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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The Bundesliga is back at the BayArena this Saturday as Bayer 04 play their first home game of the 2026/27 campaign against Union Berlin (15:30 CEST). Moussa Diaby could make his second debut for the Werkself following his return to Leverkusen – and it would be an ideal fixture for the Frenchman. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the encounter in our matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Paulina Tomasiak’s maiden Bundesliga goal helped Bayer 04 Women to their second away victory of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Bundesliga as Roberto Pätzold’s side won 2-1 at Hoffenheim on Matchday 3. Loreen Bender had scored inside two minutes on Friday evening before the hosts levelled, but Tomasiak came off the bench to secure all three points at the Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion.
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