"Sadik Fofana has proved to be very promising since his move from Alemannia Aachen to Bayer 04 two years ago and has demonstrated his potential in the youth teams. He often joined in training with the first team last season and impressed there as well," declared sporting director Simon Rolfes. "By joining a top second division side, Sadik will gain important new experience and, above all, pick up match practice at a high level. We believe he will have a successful professional career and are convinced that he will develop accordingly at Nürnberg."
Fofana is very happy about joining the first team squad. "The three-year contract at Bayer 04 is confirmation to me that I'm on the right track. And I'm extremely motivated by the deal with Nürnberg. The club challenged for promotion to the Bundesliga for much of last season," said Fofana. "It's a great opportunity for me. I have a great chance to show what I can do there and continue to develop as a player."
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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