“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.”
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against FC Köln on the 18th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
Show more
Bayer 04 have secured the services of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic for next season. The 17-year-old centre-forward will move from Red Star Belgrade to Leverkusen in the summer on a long-term contract. The 1.98 metre tall striker is regarded as one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe and has recently impressed with strong performances at both first team and youth level. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg particularly praise his finishing, heading ability and physical presence in the penalty area.
Show more
After seven games without a win, the 2-1 home victory against VfB Stuttgart last weekend provided a real boost for the Kiezkicker and their fans. FC St. Pauli now head to Leverkusen again with plenty of momentum. On Saturday, 14 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Hamburg side face Bayer 04 for the third time this season, with the last game against the Werkself less than a fortnight ago. Despite the defeat in the DFB Pokal quarter-final, coach Alexander Blessin's team can take some positives from that game. The update on our next opponents.
Show more
The Bayer 04 eSports team made a great start to the fifth and final showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26! The Leverkusen players picked up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round. Victories against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth not only put the Black and Reds in a good position to progress to the offline round. Valuable points were also collected for the overall table and direct entry into the final event of the German Club Championship.
Show more
The fifth and final showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 begins for the #B04eSports team this Thursday, 12 February (live on the VBL Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), with the online preliminary round kicking off against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
