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)
Fans at the BayArena got to enjoy a spectacle on Wednesday as the Werkself came from behind to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the DFB Pokal. Now with the sixth home game of the season, can Bayer 04 maintain their perfect record in Leverkusen as VfB Stuttgart come to town in the Bundesliga on Saturday (15:30 CET)? The visitors have had issues domestically this term, sitting in 15th place, although they have had much better results in the UEFA Champions League. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 8 encounter…
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Three days after the spectacular comeback in the DFB Pokal tie against FC Nürnberg (5–2), the Werkself face their next challenge in the Bundesliga. On Saturday, 31 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), Bayer 04 host VfB Stuttgart, currently 15th in the table, at the BayArena. Ahead of the match, Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about important factors in preparing for this next game given a tight fixture list.
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Despite VfB Stuttgart performing well in the Champions League, they are facing a difficult spell early on in the Bundesliga. Three days after their last-minute victory in the DFB Pokal at SC Paderborn 07, the Swabians can now take to the pitch at the BayArena with greater confidence on Saturday, 31 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.
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