28.06.2025Bayer 04

Not the first time at the BayArena: Profile of Abdoulaye Faye

It is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.

Abdoulaye Faye joined BK Häcken in August 2023 from the academy at Diambars FC in Senegal. The league season in Sweden was almost over at that point. The 1.91 metre tall defender did not get to play initially. Faye was loaned out for the 2024 season to second division Örgryte IS to gain more match practice and there he quickly became a regular first choice making 23 appearances for the club.

with the necessary experience a mainstay at Häcken

Faye returned to Häcken in the Swedish top-flight for the 2025 season starting in March. He now had the necessary match practice and immediately became a mainstay in the defence at the four time Swedish cup winners. He played six games in the league and another six in the cup scoring two goals in 985 minutes on the pitch.

Rolfes on Faye: "a farsighted Transfer"

Abdoulaye Faye has signed a long-term contract to 2030 at Bayer 04. For managing director sport Simon Rolfes it is a "farsighted transfer" as the 43-year-old declared when the transfer was announced . "Abdoulaye is a promise for the future of Bayer 04 Leverkusen," said Rolfes.

And Faye is also very happy about his move to the Werkself: "Leverkusen offers me a great chance that I definitely want to take. I will do all I can to put myself in the frame at Bayer 04 over the long term. It’s a top European club - wearing the Leverkusen jersey will inspire me every day.“

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