
“We are delighted Francis Onyeka has shown such a strong commitment to Bayer 04 Leverkusen by signing this long-term contract extension. He is a fantastic talent who has come through the ranks at our club over many years and we want him to continue doing so,” said Bayer 04 managing director sport Simon Rolfes. “Francis’ loan spell at Bochum was a great success and a real win-win for both clubs. Now he should and can play a similarly outstanding role at Elversberg and establish himself there as a key player at top-flight level.”
Leverkusen’s Director of Football, Kim Falkenberg, adds: “As a member of our Future Team, Francis is well on his way to becoming a special player and a key figure for the Werkself of the future. At Elversberg, he has excellent opportunities to develop and mature into a seasoned Bundesliga player.”
Onyeka, who was born in Gummersbach, played for Bayer 04’s youth teams since the age of seven. From the summer of 2025, he took his first highly successful steps in professional football in Bochum, gaining the necessary match practice and developing the competitive edge required. “The contract extension at Bayer 04 is a great honour for me and, at the same time, further motivation. I’m looking forward to the challenge at Elversberg and to proving myself week in, week out in the Bundesliga. My aim is to contribute to the team’s success through good performances and to take the next step in my development. I’m convinced I have the potential to establish myself at Bayer 04 over the long term. Bayer 04 is my club; playing for the first team here was my dream even as a child.”

The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.
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Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
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Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without forward Moussa Diaby for their upcoming matches. The 27-year-old Frenchman sustained a thigh injury in the 3-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim yesterday afternoon, Sunday 25 October. Diaby is expected to be available again after the international break in November.
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