
"Demarai Gray is a tricky, very fast and penetrating winger who will give our attacking game an additional boost," said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes in describing the right-footer who was a surprise Champion of England with Leicester City in 2016. "He’s capable of winning out in fast one-on-ones and bringing his teammates into play. Thanks to his experience in the Premier League, Demarai is a player who can help us straightaway."
Sporting managing director Rudi Völler sees Gray, who has dual English and Jamaican nationality, "as important strengthening our squad in view of the large number of games we will face in the second half of the season," said Völler. "Demarai is an unpredictable forward who will give us more options for the rest of the season."
For Gray, who played five games in the Champions League for the Foxes, the move to Bayer 04 is "great opportunity to gain new experience abroad at a very attractive club. The whole world was watching when the Bundesliga was the first big league to start playing again last year after the break caused by the coronavirus. I like German football," declared Gray. "I've seen how Bayer 04 attack, are aggressive with great technique going forward and like to dictate the game through possession. I'll fit in well. I can, and I would, like to develop here and be successful with this attractive team."

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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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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