Born in Madrid, Mario Hermoso joined the youth set-up at Real Madrid at the age of ten. He progressed through all the junior teams at the record Champions League winners and in 2015 he played for the reserve team Real Madrid Castilla. That was followed by a 12-month loan to second division Real Valladolid where he made his professional debut. In the following season in 2016/17, Hermoso regularly played for the Real Madrid reserve team before his long stay at Real Madrid drew to a close at the end of the season – for a good sporting reason.
In the summer of 2017, Hermoso moved up to the Primera Division, the forerunner of today's La Liga. He played for Espanyol and made his top-flight debut on 9 September 2017 in the derby against Barcelona. Hermoso quickly established himself in Spain's top division with 54 league appearances in two seasons – and he earned the first of a total of five international caps with Spain in that time.
Hermoso's performances at Espanyol and for Spain attracted the attention of Atletico Madrid who brought him back to the capital in the summer of 2019. The 1.84 metre tall left footer spent five successful years at the Rojiblancos, winning the Spanish league title with them in 2021 and clocking up 29 games in the Champions League.
Hermoso faced the Werkself four times in his time at Atletico. The record from the Champions League group stage encounters in 2019/20 and 22/23: one win, one draw, two defeats. Hermoso was in the starting line-up in all four matches.
Moreover: To date he has not played more games against any other foreign club then he has against his new club, the German double winners from Leverkusen…
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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