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 round off their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a friendly against Premier League side Newcastle United. The match against the side featuring German internationals Malik Thiaw and Nick Woltemade will take place on Saturday 15 August (kick-off: 4 pm German time/3 pm local time) at St James’ Park. Werkself-TV will stream the match live in full and free of charge after logging in from 3.50 pm...
After the 2-1 defeat at Premier League club Nottingham Forest the night before, it was straight back to work for the Werkself at midday on Thursday with an intensive training session in hot temperatures at the hosts' training ground.
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The Werkself suffered a first defeat in the current pre-season fixtures. The sixth friendly of the summer ended in 2-1 reverse at Premier League Nottingham Forest. The English side took an early lead (4’) but Patrik Schick levelled just after the half-hour mark (32’). Nothing much happened after that, and the match looked set to end in a draw. However, the hosts managed to score the winning goal late on (90').
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned U19 midfielder Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch second-tier side Roda JC Kerkrade for one year. The 18-year-old Germany youth international has a long-term contract at the club to 2031.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has taken note of the final, non-binding statement issued by the Bundeskartellamt regarding the 50+1 rule and its application, and will now examine it carefully.
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