“We’re delighted to have completed this transfer. Sardar Azmoun has been one of Russian football’s top goalscorers for several years. He’s been champion three years in a row there with Zenit, regularly played in the Champions League and shown himself to be of international class at the highest level,” said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes of the signing. “Our attack gains extra quality with him. Sardar will make our attack even more unpredictable and powerful.”
Managing director for sport Rudi Völler says the 1.86m-tall Azmoun is a “versatile striker capable of playing in several positions. He’s very quick, good in the air and has a good sense for space. But he’s not just a goalscorer. Sardar Azmoun also sets up a lot of goals and is an outstanding fit for the Werkself as a player who combines well with others.”
For Azmoun, who has 39 goals in 60 caps for Iran, the move to Leverkusen is “a step from the best club in Russia to one of the best leagues in Europe. Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a really great squad. I’ve been keeping an eye on the club for a long time and am impressed by the team’s style of play,” said Russia’s Footballer of the Year for 2021. “It’s incredibly exciting for me to soon be able to play in the Bundesliga. And I’m convinced I’ll make the team even better with my footballing ability.”
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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