"Matej Kovar is big, strong in one-on-ones and is very good with his feet," said Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting managing director, in describing the qualities of the Czech keeper. "He's a player with great prospects and we have high hopes for him in the coming years."
Kovar made 32 appearances as the number one keeper at Sparta Prague last season and he kept a clean sheet 11 times. Before his move to Germany, he had detailed discussions with his Czech fellow countrymen, the former Leverkusen player Michal Kadlec. "Michal not only told me all about the Bundesliga but also Bayer 04 Leverkusen in particular," said the goalkeeper. "He described the club to me in glowing detail. I'm very excited about the quality of this team. From what I've seen so far, I can hardly wait for the next few years."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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