“This signature is more than just signing a contract,” Piero Hincapie said. “Bayer 04 Leverkusen has become like a family to me after three-and-a-half years. The club and the fans are special, and we have a team that showed last season what’s possible when you unconditionally stick together. I’m really happy that people are pleased with me and giving me the chance to continue to help shape the future of this club.”
Bayer 04 managing director for sport Simon Rolfes stressed the importance of the tough-tackling and versatile defender to the Werkself. “Piero Hincapie came to us as a 19-year-old in 2021, but even then we could see the confidence he has in his abilities,” Rolfes recalls of the now 43-time Ecuador international’s start to life in Leverkusen. “Today Piero battles on an equal footing with world-class players like Lionel Messi and Mo Salah. He’s earned that respect from around the world. It’s even better for us that Piero has now committed himself long term again to Bayer 04.”
Hincapie moved to the BayArena from Argentinian side Talleres in 2021. The 1.84-metre-tall left-footer has turned out to be an ideal signing for Bayer 04. He’s taken the step from talented youngster to top professional and played a big part in the club’s Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double, as well as the Supercup victory of 2024. The 22-year-old has so far made 141 competitive appearances for the Werkself, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').
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Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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