“As a child, I dreamed of playing for Bayer 04. I made it and I’m very grateful to the club and coaches who have supported me through all those years,” said the 18-year-old Gedikli. “Now it’s time for me to make way in professional football. The attractive offer from Turkey offers me a great opportunity.”
The centre forward made his first-team debut for the Werkself in the Europa League in 2020/21 making three appearances in group matches and he also played in the final Bundesliga match of the season at Borussia Dortmund. He earned his first international cap with the Germany U19 team four months later and has played four times and scored one goal for his country to date.
“Emrehan joined us when he was eight and now he is on the verge of a promising development in professional football,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes. “We wish him great success for the rest of his career.”
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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