From Britain to Leverkusen: Nathan Tella, who will wear the number 19 shirt for the Werkself, is leaving England for the first time for his move under the Bayer Cross. The young forward grew up in Stevenage, a town 43 kilometres north of London. He moved to the UK capital when he had the opportunity to play in the Arsenal youth system. Tella progressed through all the youth teams at the Gunners from 2007. The 1.73 metre tall winger then joined the youth set-up at Southampton in 2017.
Tella later moved up to the first team squad at the Saints and he soon made his debut in the Premier League. He came on as a substitute against Norwich City in the 2019/20 season on 19 June 2020. The then 19-year-old had his first taste of top-flight football in England – his first minutes proved to be successful as Southampton won the away game 3-0.
Tella made 18 league appearances the following season and 14 in the campaign after that. The versatile wizard on the wing then moved on to gain more time on the pitch in 2022/23 in a season-long loan to Burnley, relegated from the Premier League the previous season, in the EFL Championship, the second tier in English football. A stroke of fortune for the Clarets as it turned out. Burnley, with Tella, went straight back up as second division champions and the attacking all-rounder made a significant contribution with his 22 goal involvements in 39 league games. His impressive performances earned him a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season.
Burnley were promoted back to the Premier League for the 2023/24 season – but without Tella. The 24-year-old returned to Southampton in the summer at the end of his loan with the club now relegated from England's top flight. Tella played three league games for the Saints this season, scoring once and providing one assist. But now he has answered the call of the Bundesliga and Bayer 04. He can now look forward to once again playing in the top-flight at Leverkusen…
Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
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Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
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Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
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