Back
22.01.2022Bayer 04

Bayer 04 sign striker Sardar Azmoun from Zenit

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Iran international Sardar Azmoun. The 27-year-old centre-forward’s contract at Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg runs out in the summer and will not be extended. He will join the Werkself for the 2022/23 season on a deal until 30 June 2027.
crop_imago0043593626h.jpg

“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.”

Related News

Frauen unterliegen im Pokal-Achtefinale in München | Achteflinale DFB-Pokal
Werkself-TV - 01.11.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 0-1 loss at FC Bayern

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-1 loss at Bayern Munich in the round of 16 of the women's DFB-Pokal 2026/27

Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn November highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career working as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Ibrahim Maza
Bundesliga - 31.10.2026

Werkself suffer first home loss in 4-2 defeat to Stuttgart

Having previously recorded six consecutive home wins across all competitions, Bayer 04 suffered their first home defeat of 2026/27 as they went down 4-2 to VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Matchday 8. The visitors capitalised on their first two chances to score, with Ermedin Demirovic and Jamie Leweling finding the net in the first half. Although Patrik Schick got a goal back in the first half, Bilal El Khannouss and Demirovic again added further goals for Stuttgart. Bayer 04 didn’t give up, but Ibrahim Maza’s goal proved little more than a consolation.

Show more
20261018_FS1_6607.jpg
Bundesliga - 31.10.2026

Matchday news: Take cup momentum into Stuttgart home game

Fans at the BayArena got to enjoy a spectacle on Wednesday as the Werkself came from behind to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the DFB Pokal. Now with the sixth home game of the season, can Bayer 04 maintain their perfect record in Leverkusen as VfB Stuttgart come to town in the Bundesliga on Saturday (15:30 CET)? The visitors have had issues domestically this term, sitting in 15th place, although they have had much better results in the UEFA Champions League. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 8 encounter…

Show more
Rafaela Borggräfe
Women - 30.10.2026

‘Put in a top performance’: Women’s side take on holders Bayern Munich in DFB Pokal Round of 16

The Bayern Munich women’s football team are unbeaten in all domestic competitions in the last 62 matches. On Sunday (15:00 CET), the Bayer 04 women’s team will make their next attempt to end the holders unbeaten run in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie. For coach Roberto Pätzold, there are a number of factors that give the Werkself cause for optimism despite the high-calibre opposition.

Show more