Bayer 04 sign rising star Natali from Barcelona
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Italian central defender Andrea Natali. The 16-year-old youth international joins the Werkself from the Barcelona U18 squad on a contract to 30 June 2027.
“Andrea Natali was a highly attractive prospect and much sought-after player this summer as a U17 European Championship winner with Italy. We are very happy he has made the decision to join Bayer 04,” said Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. “He potentially has all the qualities needed to play a significant role in our Werkself in the future.”
Photo: Andrea Natali (left) with Kim Falkenberg (right, Head of Recruitment at Bayer 04)
Related News
Women - 19.07.2026
'Very good energy and mentality': Pätzold reviews women's training camp in Rieden
Like last year, Bayer 04 Women held their summer training camp in Rieden. Coach Roberto Pätzold gives his assessment of the time in the Upper Palatinate, discusses the integration of the 11 new players and the unusual team building measures, gives his thoughts on the friendly and looks ahead to the start of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga season in August.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 19.07.2026
Open training session on Tuesday at start of summer holidays – Special surprise in store
Just in time for the start of the summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Werkself will hold another open training session on Tuesday 21 July. The session at the BayArena is scheduled to start at 11:00 CEST and will again be available to watch in a live stream. The fans who are there can look forward to a very special surprise.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 18.07.2026
Moreira nets brace in 7-0 win over SF Baumberg in opening friendly
Bayer 04 turned in a dominant performance in a 7-0 win against fifth-tier side Sportfreunde Baumberg in their first friendly ahead of the 2026/27 season. A brace from debutant Afonso Moreira (19', 27') either side of a Christian Kofane strike (23') put the Werkself 3-0 up in the first of the two 35-minute halves in Monheim am Rhein. After the break, Victor Boniface (49', 53'), Robert Andrich (56') and Nathan Tella (67') scored for the completely changed Leverkusen team. It was therefore a successful friendly debut for new head coach Carles Martínez and his team, although the hosts also had something to celebrate despite the defeat: the match marked the inauguration of Baumberg's new ground, the MEGA Stadion.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 18.07.2026
Introducing the 2026/27 Away Matchday Collection
Attention, Werkself fans: the new Away Matchday Collection is now available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. It includes t-shirts, zip tops and jackets.
Show more
