The then Austria goalkeeper joined Bayer 04 from FC Ingolstadt in 2016. As a reliable back-up keeper, ‘Rambo’ made eight appearances for the Werkself in the following four years at national and European level and the dream of playing in the Champions League became a reality in December 2016.
“Rambo can look back at an exceptional career. Here at Bayer 04, he has always been a valuable member of the goalkeeping set-up and the whole team,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes. “He encouraged the others with his professionalism and ambition and was a real team player off the pitch. He will be able to bring these qualities and his immense experience to his new role.
Özcan will mainly be involved with in coaching the youth keepers up to the U15s. “It’s a very attractive challenge. I’m looking forward to passing on my knowledge and my experience to the young people. And that at a club which has grown close to my heart over the years,” declared Özcan, whose playing career will end after the current Europa League campaign.
In 17 years as a professional footballer, the man from Vorarlberg played 292 games in the first and second divisions in Germany and Austria and also won ten caps for Austria. Özcan played for Austria Lustenau, RB Salzburg, 1899 Hoffenheim, Besiktas, FC Ingolstadt and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Bayer 04 are away to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 5 of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The game kicks off on Thursday 26 November at 18:45 CET at the Maksimir Stadium. All the information on ticket sales.
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It wasn’t just on the pitch that there was cause for celebration around the Werkself’s 2–1 home win against SC Freiburg. Plenty of happy faces could be seen near the dugouts at half-time too. Once again, CEO Fernando Carro, alongside former striker and club ambassador Stefan Kießling, paid tribute to eight supporters’ clubs celebrating up to their 30th anniversary on behalf of Bayer 04.
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It was a match that will live long in the memory of everyone involved: The Bayer 04 U19s celebrated their seventh win in seven matches in the DFB Youth League preliminary round – and yet it was a very special victory indeed: in the 4–3 (1–1) win at VfL Bochum 1848, no fewer than five goals came in the final quarter of an hour. As the 90th minute approached, coach Patrick Greveraars’s side found themselves behind, but then fought back in true ‘Laterkusen’ style.
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Under Carles Martínez, the Werkself have so far proved unbeatable at the BayArena. The Spaniard has led his team to victory in all three of their most recent home matches – and, it's worth noting, without conceding a single goal. On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST / live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), current league leaders SC Freiburg will make the trip to Leverkusen, but will be without their top scorer. What's more, the Werkself have won all three of their previous home matches against the Black Forest club. With a goal, Patrik Schick could not only secure a fourth consecutive victory but also set a memorable record. Meanwhile, on what will be the ‘Health Day' at the BayArena, much of the focus will be on physical wellbeing. Today's matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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