Bayer 04 sign Exequiel Palacios
Bayer 04 have signed the Argentina international Exequiel Palacios. The 21-year-old joins Leverkusen from River Plate Buenos Aires on 1 January 2020.
"Exequiel Palacios is a technically gifted midfielder able to score goals and he has the ability to involve his team-mates. He fits in really well with our team and the way we play," said a delighted Rudi Völler as sporting managing director about the transfer that Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfe completed over recent weeks. Now a contract has been signed to 30 June 2025.
"We've been looking at Exequiel Palacios for a long time and he’s really impressed us," said Rolfes. In his last game for River Plate he won the Argentine cup and in 2018 the Copa Libertadores and he was in the final of that competition again in November with River Plate. Exequiel has achieved a lot in spite of his young age. He stands out with his football ability and a remarkable mentality," emphasised Rolfes.
The four-time Argentina international joins the Werkself from River Plate ahead of his original contract running out in 2021. Palacios has played 80 games for the top Argentine club. "I'm very happy to be able to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, for a club that has been home to a lot of players from South America," declared Palacios. "Bayer 04 have a good reputation here in Argentina. I'm proud to be part of this ambitious club and I'm looking forward very much to the Bundesliga and European games."
Related News
eSports - 21.10.2026
#B04eSports: Leverkusen miss out on offline round by a whisker
It couldn't have been any tighter! Despite winning four of six games in the online preliminary round in Showdown 1 of the VBL Club Championship 2026/27, Leverkusen eSports duo Marc and Sean Landwehr didn't make it through to the offline knockout round. Level on points (12) with seven other teams, Leverkusen were the only team with this points tally not to progress as they had the worst single-game record compared to their rivals.
Show more
Europa League - 19.10.2026
Tickets for the UEL away game at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia
Bayer 04 are away to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 5 of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The game kicks off on Thursday 26 November at 18:45 CET at the Maksimir Stadium. All the information on ticket sales.
Show more
Fans - 19.10.2026
During the home win against Freiburg: Bayer 04 honours eight supporters’ clubs for their decades-long loyalty
It wasn’t just on the pitch that there was cause for celebration around the Werkself’s 2–1 home win against SC Freiburg. Plenty of happy faces could be seen near the dugouts at half-time too. Once again, CEO Fernando Carro, alongside former striker and club ambassador Stefan Kießling, paid tribute to eight supporters’ clubs celebrating up to their 30th anniversary on behalf of Bayer 04.
Show more
Bundesliga - 19.10.2026
Werkself review: Strong home form with a deadly duo up front
A disciplined and impressive team performance secured a 2–1 victory for the Werkself against league leaders SC Freiburg, who had remained unbeaten across all competitions until then; two players once again stood out at the BayArena: Artisic dribbler Ibrahim Maza scored Leverkusen’s first goal himself and set up the second, whilst goal-getter Patrik Schick had set up the equaliser and netted the winner. In doing so, the Czechia international set a remarkable club record. Both head coach Carles Martínez and the media were full of praise afterwards. Maza himself was also delighted with the growing rapport with “super striker” Schick: “The more we play together, the better we understand each other.” The Werkself’s comeback secured their fourth home win in their fourth home game of the season.
Show more
