
“Despite his young age, Ken Izekor is already an outstanding player in our U17 team,” declared Bayer 04 sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. “He’s real goal-getter, has enormous determination and a great ability to assert himself. We are very happy that Ken and his family identify with Bayer 04 so much and we are certain he will continue on his more than positive path.”
Izekor has played in Bayer 04 youth teams since 2018. Born in Aachen, he moved from the Alemannia youth set-up to the Kurtekotten Performance Centre and he recently helped the Germany U16 team win in a UEFA youth tournament in Portugal.
Izekor has scored 15 goals in twelve games in the U17 Bundesliga West and he also made an impressive six appearances in the UEFA Youth League. The top talent has played two games for the U19s in the Bundesliga West and also competed in the DFB Youth Cup (one game, one goal).
“I’ve felt at home at this club from the start and I can see there’s a big chance here of becoming a successful professional player.” said Izekor. “On top of that, I’ve crossed my fingers for Leverkusen since I was a child. That’s why I think it’s brilliant to continue my development here.”

Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
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The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
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