"Over the past six and a half years, Edmond Tapsoba has become an absolutely key player for our team and one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, who performs at an international top level," highlighted Bayer 04 managing director sport Simon Rolfes. "He was a pillar of our double-winning team who has made a significant personal contribution to the team’s success and has an incredible influence as a link between all parts of the squad. As one of our most experienced players now, Eddy will continue to lead the way as he build another team capable of titles," continued Rolfes. "This long-term contract signing underlines our big ambitions for the years ahead."
For Tapsoba, who is deeply involved in social causes in his home country of Burkina Faso, his connection to Bayer 04 well into the coming decade is “something extraordinary and very emotional. Staying with one club for so long - that doesn’t happen very often in modern professional football,” the right-footed defender emphasised. “Bayer 04 Leverkusen has become something special to me, a second home where I’ve made many friends. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. I’ve had amazing experiences here and been able to celebrate great titles. That’s exactly what we’ll be striving for again in the future.”
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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