Back
31.01.2017Bayer 04

Bayer 04 sign rising star Leon Bailey

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Jamaican striker Leon Bailey with immediate effect. The 19-year-old joins the club from Belgian Europa League participants KRC Genk on a five-year contract to 2022.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

"In Leon Bailey we have brought in another highly promising player on a long-term deal," declared Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade. "This lad was also high up on the wish list of many other European clubs. That makes as even happier to have won out against such strong competition."

Sporting director Rudi Völler believes Bailey, who is entitled to play in the Champions League in spite of Europa League appearances for Genk, fits in perfectly with the Werkself system. "He's an unusually quick, very tricky player who will give our attack an additional boost. We are sure Leon Bailey will be a big hit for us."

The player is very happy to wear the Werkself shirt. “Bayer 04 are a good club. I’d like to take my next important step here. Leverkusen are well known as a club where you can really develop. And the way they play football is attractive. I like that,” said Leon Bailey who will wear the number nine shirt this season.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Scheck-Übergabe
Bayer 04 - 16.05.2026

BarmeniaGothaer & Bayer 04 present Tapsoba with cheque from shirt sales

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.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04HSV
Bundesliga - 16.05.2026

Matchday news #B04HSV: Finally Red in last chance for Champions League qualification

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.

Show more
Shen Menglu und Vanessa Haim
Women - 16.05.2026

Haim and Menglu to leave Bayer 04 Women

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.

Show more
Die PK vor dem letzten Bundesliga-Spiel der Saison | 34. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 15.05.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04HSV: 'It's not over yet'

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.

Show more