"In Patrik Schick, we have brought in an internationally known central striker who has very impressively and consistently demonstrated his qualities as a striker both in Serie A and in the Bundesliga," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler about the signing. "Patrik's penetration and strength in finishing will be good for our attacking game. And he will have teammates alongside him who will be able to bring him and his strengths to the fore.”
Sporting director Simon Rolfes sees Schick as a "classic central striker – technically adept, strong in the air and with the ability to hold onto and win the ball," Rolfes said. "Patrik can also read the game and as a special sense for the right position in the box. With him in the team, we will be difficult to work out and to defend against."
For the Prague-born striker, who has scored nine goals in 22 internationals for the Czech Republic, Leverkusen are "very exciting club. I saw for myself in the games against Leipzig what a great team Bayer 04 have. They play an attacking game with aggression – those are things I like and that fit in with my idea of football," declared Schick. "Bayer 04 are a top club in the Bundesliga. And I'm very happy to be able to carry on in Germany and play for this club in Europe."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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