
For Rudi Völler, managing director sport, the 1.89 metre central striker is a good addition to the current strike force. "After the serious injury to Joel Pohjanpalo, we intensified our search for a classic centre forward. With Isaac Kiese Thelin, we've brought in a striker who's good in the air."
"He's done brilliantly in the Belgian league," said head coach Heiko Herrlich. "Isaac represents an additional option for us up front. He will make our attacking game even more flexible."
Kiese Thelin is looking forward to the new challenge. "Bayer 04 are a big club with an exciting past. Leverkusen are consistently in Europe and they have ambitious targets for the coming season. I want to contribute to achieving those targets."
Thelin will wear the number 11 shirt for the Werkself. "Of course, I know Stefan Kießling. He's a legendary striker," declared Kiese Thelin. "Being the number 11 makes me feel proud. I hope I can produce good performances in the shirt."
The striker, born in Örebro, has won 24 caps and scored two goals for Sweden and he made four brief appearances at this summer's World Cup in Russia in three group matches and the Round of 16 game against Switzerland. In Sweden, Kiese Thelin played for Karslunds, IFK Norrköping and Malmö FF at club level, before moving on to French club Bordeaux in 2015. Then he joined RSC Anderlecht; there he went out on loan to Waasland-Beveren last term where he scored 16 goals in 25 games – the best return in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. He also found the back of the net three times in the play-offs.


Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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