"Moussa Diaby has developed into a fantastic player in his time at Bayer 04," declared sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. "The professionalism and determination, he showed every day in pursuing his career, was really exceptional. Moussa has made his mark on our team in recent years with his unique style of play and incredible pace. With a special style of play, he's a person who has his heart in the right place. We will follow his future closely and wish him great success," said Rolfes.
Diaby scored 49 goals and provided 48 assists for the Werkself in 173 appearances. For the 24-year-old, Bayer 04 Leverkusen is "a really special club. I received so much support and time on the pitch as a very young player that I could become what I am today. Without Bayer 04 and all the teammates and colleagues, who have always supported me, it might not have happened so quickly," said Diaby. "Now I want to take the next step and start a new chapter. I will always be happy and grateful thinking back to my time in Leverkusen."
The situation ahead of the showdown is clear - and promising. The Bayer 04 U19s host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League phase. A win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium would see the Werkself go through to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. Ahead of the clash on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/livestream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app), coach Kevin Brok spoke about the successful build-up, his assessment of the match and the danger of underestimating the already eliminated English side.
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The Werkself will host VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 10 January, at 18:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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The Werkself will host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on matchday 19 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 24 January, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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In the sixth and final match of the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2025/26, the Bayer 04 U19s have a great opportunity to advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s most prestigious youth competition for the first time. To achieve that under their own steam, they will need a win against Newcastle United at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/ free admission). In an interview with bayer04.de, managing director sport Simon Rolfes analyses the team's performances so far and their special situation. And the 43-year-old reveals what he would be happy to do without on the day of the match.
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The next opponents in the 2025/26 DFB Pokal have been announced: Bayer 04 will host Bundesliga rivals FC St. Pauli in the quarter-finals. That was the outcome of the draw held this Sunday evening, 7 December, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund, where long-time Bundesliga player and coach Friedhelm Funkel made the draw. The Werkself will play their quarter-final tie on 3-4 or 10-11 February 2026. The exact dates have yet to be finalised.
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