
Heiko Herrlich has opted not to have a training camp and instead will prepare his team for the second half of the season in Leverkusen – training restarts on Tuesday, 2 January 2018 (15.30 CET) with an open session.
Two friendlies have been arranged before Bayer 04 open the second half of the Bundesliga campaign when Bayern Munich visit the BayArena on Friday 12 January (20.30 CET). Second division SpVgg Greuther Fürth are the visitors at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 5 January (14.00 CET). That could see a reunion with former Bayer 04 player Roberto Hilbert who is now under contract at the Bavarian club. The Werkself have another friendly a day later on 6 January – this time against third division Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium).
Bayer 04 are also planning another two friendlies in January to be fully prepared for the 2017/18 campaign run-in: The day after the game against Bayern, the Werkself will play third division Sportfreunde Lotte (13 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) – the club that caused an upset last season when knocked Bayer 04 out of the DFB Cup. Three days after the league match at TSG Hoffenheim (20 January), the Werkself take on Regional League outfit Rot-Weiß Oberhausen (23 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) in the fourth friendly in January.
Tuesday 2 January: Training restarts (15. 30 CET)
Friday 5 January: Friendly against SpVgg Greuther Fürth (14 .00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 6 January: Friendly against Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Friday 12 January: Second half of season opener against Bayern Munich (20.30 CET, BayArena)
Saturday 13 January: Friendly against SF Lotte (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 20 January: Bundesliga fixture at TSG Hoffenheim (15.30 CET, Rhein Neckar Arena)
Tuesday 23 January: Friendly against RW Oberhausen (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Sunday 28 January: Bundesliga fixture against Mainz 05 (15.30 CET, BayArena)

A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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