Sporting director Simon Rolfes sees the long-term deal with Wirtz as "a powerful statement from the club of how we will handle things in the future here at Leverkusen. With top quality players, at the same time capable of development where Bayer 04 has been a highly desirable club for many years. Florian Wirtz is equally a promise for the future as well as a guarantee for sporting success in the present," declared Rolfes. "He's impressive as well as brave and confident in the way he has progressed in professional football up to now. Flo has what it takes to become a top player in the Bundesliga in the next few years and also an important part of the Germany team."
Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler is also very happy about the long-term deal with Wirtz. "Not only has he had his first call-up to the Germany squad but Florian has also made fantastic progress over the past year-and-a-half here at Leverkusen," said Völler. "His outstanding talent was obviously apparent and it gave us great hope when we signed him as a 16-year-old. But it was definitely not to be expected that Florian would already be a key player in our first team. Given his youth and the fact he is currently doing his A-levels it is an extraordinary achievement," said Völler. "If Florian continues to develop in the same way then he can be an absolute leader and a key part of our team in the next few years."
The now 18-year-old Florian Wirtz, who has played for the Werkself since January 2020, said he "found everything at Bayer 04 Leverkusen as described and promised. I'm playing for a great club here, one of the best in Germany who I want to be with in the coming years to have a go at the biggest targets," said Wirtz. "I've really been able to improve on the pitch in a great team – that is and remains my aim. With my performances, I want to contribute to us being able to win titles in the near future."
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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