"Mario Hermoso is an experienced player on the international stage and, in addition to playing as a central defender, he is a very capable and organised left back," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Simon Rolfes in describing the 1.84 metre tall defender. "Mario will also bring additional versatility to our defence and will compensate very well for the absence of Jeanuel Belocian."
Hermoso knows Bayer 04 well having played the Werkself twice in Champions League games in 2022/23. "They were two highly emotional games with neither side giving anything away exactly like it was in Madrid a week or so ago," said Hermoso, who has made five international appearances for Spain. "I'm very much looking forward to aiming to achieve big targets with the Werkself. Everything is set up here for a successful season on the pitch."
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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