
There was a big and positive surprise with the call-up to the Germany squad for Werkself midfielder Robert Andrich. The 29-year-old, called up for the first time, was delighted: “Of course, I’m incredibly pleased. I have to say it was a very big surprise but I’m looking forward to it and I definitely won’t forget today.”

Call-ups to date:
Robert Andrich, Jonas Hofmann, Jonathan Tah und Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina)
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Lukas Hradecky (Finland)
Josip Stanisic (Croatia)
Adam Hlozek (Czechia)
Amine Adli (Morocco)
Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador)
Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
Noah Mbamba (Belgium U19)
Madi Monamay (Belgium U18)
Call-ups to the Spain and Netherlands squads are yet to be announced.

In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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