Bayer 04 bring back star forward Moussa Diaby

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.”