
Due to the severity of the injury, an operation is required following the immediate treatment in Columbia. This will be performed by a specialist in Madrid by agreement with Bayer 04, Arias and Atlético. The 28-year-old Arias is expected to fly from Colombia to Spain in the middle of next week.
“This serious injury hits us hard and affects everybody. Santiago is a great character and has joined us with great ambition and it’s a bitter blow for him,” declared sporting director Simon Rolfes. “Like Atlético Madrid, we will do everything we can to support Santiago in his recovery. After the operation and his return to Leverkusen, he will be looked after by us during his rehab. Our medical section and the whole club are behind him so that he can return fully fit as soon as possible.”
“I can’t describe how I feel. I’d be lying if I said I’m doing alright but I don’t want to maintain the opposite. I’m sad about the situation,” Arias said on Instagram on Saturday. “This is another test to overcome and it will make me stronger. I promise to work hard to get back quickly and stronger and be able to wear the colours of Colombia and my club Bayer 04 Leverkusen again.”


Alejo Sarco has left Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Sporting Gijón in Spain’s second division. Bayer 04 have secured a buy-back clause for the 20-year-old Argentine striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.
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Bayer 04 preparations for the 2026/27 season are in full swing, with the first friendly now under their belts. Although there are still around seven weeks to go until the first Bundesliga home game in early September, there is already huge anticipation for the start of competitive action for head coach Carles Martínez’s team at the BayArena. For the Bundesliga home matches of the new season, here is the latest information regarding the first phase of single-match ticket sales. The tried-and-tested early-bird phase remains in place. From 23 to 31 July, tickets for matches will go on sale on weekdays; the early-bird phase ends on 5 August at the latest – provided tickets are still available by then.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without forward Eliesse Ben Seghir for the time being.
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