A total of 19 players from 13 Bundesliga clubs are currently in the running for the Golden Boy 2026 award. These include Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane and Montrell Culbreath, who were already on the list in May, as well as summer signings Kerim Alajbegovic and Kennet Eichhorn. Also represented is Francis Onyeka, who recently signed a contract with Bayer 04 to 2032 and is currently on loan at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg.
The Golden Boy award:
Awarded annually since 2003 by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, the prize honours Europe’s most talented player. The ranking is based on performance data, potential, league and club strength, and market value. This year, an initial Golden Boy Top 100 list was published in May, followed by an updated edition this week and further updates in the coming months. In October, the list will be narrowed down to a top 20, before an international panel of pundits finally selects the Golden Boy 2026. This year, the selection process will include all players born in 2006 or later who play in one of the 25 strongest European top-flight leagues.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
Show more
Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
Show more
The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
Show more
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
Show more
