Back
27.08.2023Bayer 04

Profile of new signing Nathan Tella

Welcome to Bayer 04, Nathan. Attacking all-rounder Nathan Tella moves under the Bayer Cross from English second-tier club Southampton. The 24-year-old Englishman with Nigerian heritage has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2028. Bayer04.de presents a more detailed profile of the impressive right-footed dribbler who can play up front as well as on the wings.
crop_DSC_6059.jpg

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.

crop_DSC_5803.jpg

first team squad and top-flight debut

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.

 

 

crop_NT_02.jpg

return to the Saints – move to leverkusen

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…

 

Related News

Piljic per Dropkick ins Glück: Bayer 04-Frauen schlagen Jena | 21. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-0 home win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena on the 21th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Katharina Piljic bejubelt die Führung
Women - 22.03.2026

Piljic strike seals win for Bayer 04 Women against Jena

Thanks to a masterstroke from Katharina Piljic, the Werkself secured their eleventh win of the season in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. On Sunday evening, coach Roberto Pätzold's team beat FC Carl Zeiss Jena 1-0. Midfielder Piljic scored the winning goal with a volley into the corner from the edge of the box (19’) in front of 633 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium - and ensured that Leverkusen moved up to fifth place in the table for at least one night with 34 points.

Show more
Terrier und Quansah
Bayer 04 - 22.03.2026

Bayer 04 pros Terrier and Quansah sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to make do without forward Martin Terrier in the next few weeks. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury in his right hamstring in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Show more
Werkself bedankt sich bei den Fans
Bundesliga - 22.03.2026

Werkself review #FCHB04: ‘We’re ready to overcome this situation’

Three goals weren’t enough for the Werkself to beat FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The 3-3 stalemate was Bayer 04’s third Bundesliga draw in a row. After a commanding first half and a two-goal lead, “we didn’t get back into our game,” summarised Mark Flekken, who featured between the sticks for the first time in two months. Patrik Schick once again proved his nose for goal, bagging a brace. He is now the third-most prolific Bundesliga scorer in the club’s history. Despite the squandered points, head coach Kasper Hjulmand remains confident ahead of the final spurt of the season: “We’re ready to overcome this situation.” The Werkself review.

Show more
Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim | 28th matchday
Werkself-TV - 21.03.2026

TV highlights of 3-3 draw at Heidenheim

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at FC Heidenheim on Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more