“These two agreements again demonstrates our desire to retain key players as a cornerstone of a success-oriented and competitive team,” declared CEO Michael Schade. “After being able to strengthen our squad we wanted to set down another marker with these two important players.”
For sporting director Rudi Völler the contract extensions with Bellarabi and Wendell are a clear signal for the future development at Bayer 04: “Both had offers from financially-strong clubs but they were always key players in our plans,” said Völler. “We’re happy we were able to convince Karim and Wendell of our plans and that they feel so committed to Bayer 04. They are players with extraordinary ability and excellent characters; they are very good for our team.”
Bellarabi: “The best is still to come”
Bellarabi’s development into a regular first choice and one of the best Bundesliga players in his position is closely related to the special relationship with the sporting management and the coach Roger Schmidt in particular. “I always felt I was relied on especially when the going got tough. I became an international here at Leverkusen and I’ve got the chance here to get myself noticed for Germany again,” said Bellarabi. “I feel the best is still to come for us as a team and I definitely want to be part of it.”
And Wendell sees the possibility of his personal development at the Werkself: “I really feel at home in this team and I think we can achieve things on the pitch in the future. Bayer 04 is a club where I can regularly play in the Champions League,” said the 23-year-old who wants to be in the running for the Brazil squad. “I’ve got everything a player could want here.”
While there are no Bundesliga fixtures during international break, last weekend brought overweight fans from 16 first, second and third tier sides together on the pitch in Leverkusen. Over 200 participants in the health promotion programme 'Football fans in training' (FFIT), organised by Deutsche Krebshilfe (the German cancer support organisation) and the Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-Nord) accepted the invitation from Bayer 04 and Deutsche Krebshilfe on 12 October for the 2024 XXL fans tournament.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have extended their sponsorship portfolio with the addition of another supporter in the Business Club. GMS Giganetz GmbH and the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal winners have agreed a partnership to 30 June 2026.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-1 draw at SV Werder Bremen on matchday 6 of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreA special stage for women's football: When the Bayer 04 Women's team face Werder Bremen on Saturday, 12 October (kick-off: 14.00 CEST), the team led by coach Roberto Pätzold will play in front of an unusually large crowd. 19,000 tickets have already been sold for the big match at the Weserstadion.
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