In the vote for the Newcomer of the Season held by the VDV players union, Florian Wirtz came out on top with 21% of the votes to pick up the 'Silver Arrow' award as the best young player in the 2021/22 Bundesliga season. Our number 27 beat some stiff competition: In second place was the new Dortmund player Nico Schlotterbeck (16%) and third place went to Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich (15%).
And that's not all: The 19-year-old also made it into the VDV Bundesliga team. Together with teammate Patrik Schick (36%), Wirtz (37%) was named in the VDV 11 of the current season. Also in the side: Mark Flekken (SC Freiburg, 24%), David Raum (1899 Hoffenheim, 32% ), Nico Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg, 80%), Niklas Süle (Bayern München, 31%), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, 52%), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund, 47%), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig, 68%), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, 84%) and Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund, 35%).
The VDV team is decided by votes from all players in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2, League 3 and the Regional Leagues plus all other VDV members entitled to vote.
The BILD tabloid has produced a top 50 of all former and current players at the 18 Bundesliga clubs. The Brazilian Lucio came out top for the Werkself. The powerful defender stood out with his leadership qualities and his uncompromising challenges. The 2002 World Cup winner made 122 appearances for the Black and Reds from January 2001 to July 2004.
The highest placed Werkself player from the current Leverkusen first team squad is Florian Wirtz. The 19-year-old is in tenth place and he makes it into the top 11 of all time – alongside Bayer 04 honorary captains Ulf Kirsten, Rüdiger Vollborn and Bernd Schneider.
Bayer 04 congratulate Thomas Zdebel: The youth coach today celebrates his 49th birthday. The former Poland international joined Leverkusen from TV Herkenrath as a U17 coach in 2019 after having played for the Werkself from January 2009 to the summer of 2010. He wore the Bayer 04 shirt for 18 months in twelve Bundesliga matches, one DFB Cup game for the Black and Reds and he was also in the side that made it to the DFB Cup final in 2009. Zdebel is still playing for the Werkself Veterans team. Many happy returns, Thomas.
Samed Yesil today celebrates his 28th birthday. The German-Turkish centre-forward progressed through all the Werkself youth teams before joining Liverpool for the 2012/13 season. The central striker went on to play for FC Luzern, Panionios, Ankara Demirspor, KFC Uerdingen and VfB Homberg. The six foot tall striker from Düsseldorf is currently playing for the Oberliga club DJK St. Tönis. Many happy returns.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-1 win at SC Freiburg on Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Calling Bayer 04 families – this matchday is all yours! As part of the Family Matchday on Sunday 20 September, not only will the Werkself take on RB Leipzig at 15:30 CEST but there will also be a variety of activity zones for young and old alike be set up around the BayArena. What’s more, genuine Bayer 04 rarities await Black and Red fans at the Fantrödel flea market. By taking part in the fan travel survey, Leverkusen supporters can help the club gather important information and even win a jersey before the Werkself hit the ground running against Leipzig on the pitch. The matchday news for RB Leipzig game.
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It has been a mixed start to the season for RB Leipzig. The team from Saxony have a flawless record at home but are less successful on the road to date. RBL are looking to change that in their away fixture at the BayArena on Sunday, 20 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). However, head coach Martin Demichelis will have to manage without a number of key players. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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With a flawless away record under their belts, the Bayer 04 women’s team travel to SC Freiburg. On Sunday 20 September (16:00 CEST), coach Roberto Pätzold’s side will be aiming for three points again, six days after their narrow defeat to Bayern Munich. The Werkself have emerged victorious from both of their away fixtures so far this season.
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