Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting managing director, said about Onyeka's award: "Francis absolutely deserves this award. His football ability is undisputed. On top of that he shows great desire to work for the team and he has a top character. He wants to take the next step." The 42-year-old added: "Francis has been with us since the U8s, has a close connection to the club and has Bayer 04 in his heart. We are firmly convinced he will continue his successful career with us."
Onyeka has been at Bayer 04 since 2014 when he joined the Werkself at the age of seven and he now follows in prominent footsteps as a winner of the Fritz Walter metal: Jonathan Tah won the gold medal in the U19 category in 2015, Benjamin Henrichs did the same in 2016. Two years later Kai Havertz won in the U19 category and Florian Wirtz won gold in 2020 (U17) and 2022 (U19).
A medal in the U19 women’s category also came to Leverkusen: Loreen Bender, at Leverkusen since the summer of 2023, also won gold. "Loreen has earned this award through her unique style of play. Last season she got going in the Bundesliga straightaway after a long-term injury," said Achim Feifel, Bayer 04 Women's team sporting director: "She is always capable of springing a surprise on the pitch and that gives the team a special quality. She underlined that again with her four goals in the U20 World Cup. She will give us and the DFB even more enjoyment."
Leverkusener winners of the Fritz Walter medal:
2024: Francis Onyeka (U17/Gold), Loreen Bender (U19 Women/Gold)
2022: Florian Wirtz (U19/Gold), Lisanne Gräwe (U19 Women/Gold), Clara Fröhlich (U17 Women/Gold)
2020: Florian Wirtz (U17/Gold)
2018: Kai Havertz (U19/Gold)
2016: Benjamin Henrichs (U19/Gold); Kai Havertz (U17/Silver)
2015: Jonathan Tah (U19/Gold)
2014: Julian Brandt (U18/Gold); Levin Öztunali (U18/Silver)
2013: Dominik Kohr (U19/Bronze)
2012: Dominik Kohr (U18/Bronze)
2010: Kolja Pusch (U17/Bronze)
2008: Marcel Risse (U19/Bronze); Richard Sukuta-Pasu (U18/Bronze)
2007: Stefan Reinartz (U18/Bronze); Nils Teixeira (U17/Bronze)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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