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 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss against Werder Bremen on the 26th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 Women have finished in fifth place after the best Bundesliga season in the club's history in terms of points. Roberto Pätzold's side went down 3-1 at home to SV Werder Bremen on the final matchday. With 46 points and 15 wins, they've bettered the previous record campaign of 2024/25. Despite periods of pressure, Cornelia Kramer's 73rd-minute strike was not enough at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, and the Werkself miss out on European qualification despite a strong end to the season.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a conract extension with home-grown talent Sofie Zdebel by a further year ahead of schedule. The 21-year-old Germany U23 international will stay at the club until 30 June 2028.
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