The vote really was not easy given the spectacular goals: Whether it was youth player Leon Köhl, Chiara Bücher from the Bundesliga Women or honorary captain Lars Bender – they all, and many more Leverkusen players, scored wonderful or very special goals last term. In the end there was only one winner again this season in the traditional vote by Bayer 04 fans for the Goal of the Season. In 2020/21 it is Nadiem Amiri. The back-heel goal by our number 11 in the away game at Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2021 left the competition trailing. HERE is the impressive Amiri strike again on video. Congratulations, Nadiem.
The dream final at the Copa America awaits – and a Werkself player is involved. Following on from hosts Brazil, Argentina with Exequiel Palacios made it to the final. The Albiceleste beat Colombia 3-2 on penalties. Palacios did not play in the semi-final.
The ‘Grand Final’ of the South American championship at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro kicks off on Sunday, 11 July at 02.00 CEST. A win would see Palacios pick up the sixth title for a Bayer 04 player at the Copa America. Previous winners were Charles Aránguiz (Chile/2015 and 2016) plus the Brazilians Juan (2004), Emerson and Zé Roberto (both 1999).
The Oberliga club Bremer SV pulled out one of the most popular ties for amateur clubs in the draw for the DFB Cup First Round in the shape of Bayern Munich. But Bremer's coach Benjamin Eta wished for another opponent – and that was Bayer 04. The reason: The 41-year-old is a big Werkself fan.
The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane meet North-eastern Regional League side Lokomotive Leipzig in the first round (6-9 August). And who knows: If both Bayer 04 and Bremer SV successfully navigate their first-round ties then there is a chance of a head-to-head encounter.
Exercise, sport and preventative examinations are significant factors to remain healthy in the long term and reduce the risk of cancer. This approach is shared by the Bayer 04 Women. Therefore, Juliane Wirtz, Nina Brüggemann and Co. have decided to make the policyholders of BERGISCHEN, partner in the sponsors club at Bayer 04, aware of the subject of breast cancer in the name of the campaign #touch. Further information is available HERE.
In the summer of 2013, Bayer 04 signed Heung-min Son from Hamburg SV. In his second year under the Bayer Cross, the winger developed into a player world-class potential. The South Korean scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists in 87 matches. Son has played for the top English club Tottenham Hotspur for the past six years. The six-time South Korean Player of the Year celebrates his 29th birthday today (Thursday). Many happy returns. HERE is a video of his best goals, assists and magic moments.
The day before was the birthday of the current Werkself player Moussa Diaby. The Frenchman celebrated his 22nd birthday. The classic ritual could not be left out as befits the first birthday boy of the new season. HERE is the video.
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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Newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg will begin the 2026/27 season as Bundesliga club number 59. The Saarland club start their first Bundesliga campaign at home to the Werkself on Saturday, 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST) at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, which is currently being rebuilt. For one Leverkusen player in the ‘Elv’ line-up, the clash will be a special reunion. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Ernest Poku is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to play in the Turkish Süper Lig. The club has loaned the Dutch winger to Beşiktaş for one year. If certain criteria are met, the Istanbul club – who finished fourth in the Turkish top flight last season – will be obliged to make the move permanent.
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