The winter signing from FC Köln is currently taking a rest after his first appearances for the senior team and he has been back at school since last week. A daily routine for a 17-year-old. However, the past few days have been exciting for Florian Wirtz: The Pulheim-born player won the Fritz Walter gold medal in the U17 age group and that was followed by a first call-up to the U21 squad under Stefan Kuntz.
“Florian is one of the outstanding talents in Germany. He already has experience in the Bundesliga, the Europa League and the DFB Cup,” said Kuntz. “After discussions with Joti Chatzialexiou and Meikel Schönweitz, plus the club, we decided to call him up to the U21s to further help his development.”
The Germany youngsters play Moldova in Wiesbaden on 3 September in a qualifier for the U21 European Championships (kick-off: 18.15 CET). Five days later, they face Belgium in Leuven (16.00 CET/both games on ProSieben MAXX). If Wirtz plays, then he will be the youngest-ever Germany U21 international. In addition to the striker, Kuntz has also called up Werkself keeper Lennart Grill. Grill already has two international caps with the U21s.
For Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic the new season starts with a game in the Nations League. The Werkself duo are set to play for Austria against Norway in Oslo on 4 September (kick-off: 20.45 CET). Three days later, ‘Baumi’ and Co. entertain Rumania in Klagenfurt. That match also kicks off at 20.45 CET.
Lukas Hradecky and returnee Joel Pohjanpalo will represent Finland in Helsinki on 3 September. They play Wales at 20.45 CET. That is followed on 6 September (18.00 CET) by an away game for the Finns in Ireland. The venue is the capital Dublin.
Tin Jedvaj and his Croatia teammates have two real crackers in the Nations League. Portugal are first up in Porto on 5 September, and World Cup winners France in Paris three days later (both games kick off at 20.45 CET). Moussa Diaby with France and Panos Retsos with Greece, like Wirtz and Grill, are also set to play in two U21 Euro qualifiers.
Werkself players called up:
Lennart Grill, Florian Wirtz (both Germany U21s)
Julian Baumgartlinger, Aleksandar Dragovic (both Austria)
Lukas Hradecky, Joel Pohjanpalo (both Finland)
Tin Jedvaj (Croatia)
Moussa Diaby (France U21)
Panos Retsos (Greece U21)
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
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After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
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As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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