In last season’s Europa League campaign, the powerful striker scored two goals for Saint-Gilloise in the two quarter-final games against the Werkself. In front of a full house at the BayArena, Boniface put the Belgian side ahead in the 1-1 draw.
"Victor Boniface has been on our radar for some time," said the Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes, "His performance against us absolutely confirmed our positive assessment. Victor is a very commanding and difficult to handle centre forward who will be a challenge for every defender with his physicality. In addition, he is also quick and has good technique," said Rolfes. "Over the long term, we now have a strong and versatile striker with potential in our ranks. He will help us improve the quality of our squad for the large number of games in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and the Europa League."
For the 6'2" Boniface, the move to Leverkusen is "a special opportunity I definitely wanted to take up. I've already experienced the atmosphere here at the stadium and back then was able to assess the possibilities at this club," said Boniface who scored six goals and provided two assists in ten Europa League games with Saint-Gilloise last term. "After our talks I now know: This is a top club with a brilliant team. I'm really looking forward to playing football here and I want to play my part in the future success of Bayer 04."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
Show more
Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
Show more
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
