19.08.2025Bayer 04

‘I'm very happy to be here’: Tella visits Birkenberg football school

A special visit: Werkself player Nathan Tella was a guest at the local Birkenberg football school on Tuesday afternoon. Bayer 04 and the football school organised by the SportBund Leverkusen, who hold the sessions at the SC Leverkusen training pitches next to the BayArena, enable the children taking part each year to meet one of the Werkself players – this time the double winner and Nigeria international Tella ensured happy faces all round.

Nathan Tella bei der Fußballschule Birkenberg

promise for the next visit

The winger, at Bayer 04 since 2023, took plenty of time out for the large number of children under sunny skies. At the start of the meeting, Tella fielded a lot of questions from the the curious young players. The 26-year-old admitted that his German isn't that good yet. He did give the children of promise however: "I don't have a favourite word in German yet. But the next time I see you I’ll have one and I'll be able to speak to you in German for a bit longer."

On the visit to the Birkenberg football school, Tella added: "On the way here I heard my name a couple of times from afar. That makes me really happy. I'm very happy to be here and spend the afternoon with you."

Selfies, Autographs and more

After the questions there was time to meet all requests for autographs. Tella took time out with each child to sign boots, jerseys and even cups as well as posing for one or two selfies. The visit ended for everybody with a group photo including the coaches and support staff.

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