
The former agricultural businessman from Aachen was voted president of the Middle Rhine Football Association in 1973. Braun became the treasurer of the DFB four years later. He held that post up until his election as DFB president in 1992. He chaired the national football association for nine years. He played an important role in the successful application to hold the 2006 World Cup in Germany and he founded the Egidius Braun Foundation that primarily focuses on social integration at home and abroad.
"Egidius Braun always impressed me from when I first accompanied him to an orphanage in Mexico during an international match trip in 1985," recalls Rudi Völler, sporting managing director at Bayer 04. "Back then it was aid for Mexico and now it's the Egidius Braun Foundation – his lifetime achievement – where I have been on the advisory board for many years. We had a very close relationship due to that. Egidius Braun will never be forgotten either as a person or based on his social achievements. I will like to express my deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
In honour of the DFB honorary president Egidius Braun, the Werkself will wear black armbands in the Europa League match against Atalanta. The game at the BayArena on Thursday 17 March kicks off at 18.45 CET.

A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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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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