"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 are through to the second round of the DFB Pokal after a 4-0 win at Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday night. The game was paused after only 18 minutes due to a storm over the ground. After a lengthy delay, play resumed and Patrik Schick opened the scoring. Arthur, Christian Kofane and Alejandro Grimaldo made things more comfortable in the second half, as the fourth-tier side had two players sent off.
Show moreThere were no goals across 115 minutes of football between Bayer 04 Women and PSV Eindhoven in Friday’s friendly. Roberto Pätzold’s team played two 45-minute periods before an extra 25 minutes two days prior to heading to Rieden for their training camp. Their Dutch opponents were preparing for their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier in 12 days.
Show moreThe first round of the DFB Pokal takes Bayer 04 to Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday. The amateur club have just gained promotion to the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest and kicked off their campaign with two impressive wins. Here’s all you need to know as Erik ten Hag makes his competitive bow as Werkself boss at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena (kick-off: 6pm CEST).
Show moreAfter two months preparing for the new season, the Werkself play the first game of the 2025/26 campaign on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Ahead of the tie against the team newly promoted to the Regional League South West, head coach Erik ten Hag talked about his approach to the knockout game and his soft spot for cup competitions.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen has a new Premium Partner in its ranks in Düsseldorf company LumenHaus GmbH. The leading provider of networked home energy solutions has initially agreed a one-year partnership with the Bundesliga runners-up to the end of the 2025/26 season.
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