
"Artem Stepanov has developed brilliantly here with us in Leverkusen both in terms of physicality and the football side," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. And Kim Falkenberg, as head of recruitment, also has a high opinion of the striker. "Artem has matured and gained a lot of confidence. He has shown that in his appearances in the U19 youth league and also in the UEFA Youth League. He can and should continue down that path. We are very much looking forward to working with him in the future," said Falkenberg.
With his contract extension at Leverkusen, Stepanov has "achieved a first target. I wanted make my case for a professional career in Germany. I've succeeded in doing that and at an absolutely top club," said Stepanov. "What I can learn here is of inestimable value. I will work hard and fight to get my chances."
The 17-year-old has been in the first team squad several times this season and he made a Champions League appearance for the Werkself towards the end of the 5-0 victory against FC Salzburg. Stepanov has scored eleven goals and provided one assist in the U19 DFB youth league. In four games in the UEFA Youth League, he has scored one goal and set up two. Stepanov joined Leverkusen from the youth set-up at the Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2022.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 midfielder Jonah Berghoff ahead of schedule. The Germany U18 international has signed professional terms with the club to 30 June 2030.
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With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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The guests at the Scala Club in Leverkusen were amazed when host Reiner Calmund suddenly brought the Managing Director of Sport at Bayer 04, Simon Rolfes, and record Werkself appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn onto the stage. As part of the show "An Evening with Football & Friends", organised by long-serving Bayer 04 managing director and general manager Calmund, the two surprise guests drew plenty of applause - and provided great entertainment in exciting conversations about the past and future.
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