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.
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
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The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
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Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
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The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
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For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
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