
"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."




A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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