…his substitution due to injury in the home game against SC Freiburg (1-2): Fortunately, I haven't got any major pain. It's not serious. It will all be back to normal in a couple of days.
…the moment he first heard Bayer 04 were interested in him: I was shocked. (He laughs) I came from nowhere and didn't even have 18 months of professional football behind me. And now I'm here and I can play for a top club in the Bundesliga. It feels great!
…the reasons for his move to Leverkusen: The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world and is a great challenge for me. This move to Bayer 04 is exactly right for my development. The management at Leverkusen have lots of confidence in young players as we've seen so often in the past.
…his start at Bayer 04 and targets with the Werkself: It was very exciting for me to move to Germany. I've settled in now and I’m enjoying it here. Of course, the results on the pitch have been disappointing. But we are responsible for that ourselves and we're aware of it. We have to look forwards and work our way back game by game. The target in the Bundesliga is and remains qualification for the Champions League and that means finishing in the top four. That's what we’re aiming for.
…clashes with top strikers such as World Player of the Year Robert Lewandowski or Erling Haaland: I always want to play against the best players in the world and show what I can do. I work hard on my game every day and I’m benefiting from the high level in training.
…the importance of Neil Lennon who gave him his first chances as a professional footballer at Celtic following his move from the Manchester City EDS team in the autumn of 2019: I was surprised when I heard about his resignation a few days ago. He's a great personality and has always given everything for the club. I will always have a special memory of him because he gave me my first chance in professional football. He supported me and gave me advice. I'll always be grateful to him for that.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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