"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."
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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