
"Kerim Alajbegovic has not only fulfilled the high expectations placed in him in Salzburg, he has even exceeded them in a very short space of time," said Bayer 04 Managing Director Sport Simon Rolfes. "Despite his youth, he was an absolute top performer at RB Salzburg and has also delivered top performances in Europe in the Champions League qualifiers and in the UEFA Europa League matches. We are sure Kerim can also play an important role at Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the coming years." Bayer 04 Director of Football Kim Falkenberg added: "Kerim's talent is great, as are his ambition and his will to win. We believe in him - Kerim has everything he needs to establish himself as a Werkself player in the coming years."
For the two-footed Alajbegovic, returning to the club of his youth is another step forward: "For me, it's a step up to another level. I know the club, Bayer 04 Leverkusen have the highest standards. A top 16 club in Europe that always competes at the top of the Bundesliga. Many young players have already made it here. I also have that goal," said the Cologne-born 18-year-old, who can play as a left winger or in attacking midfield.

Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
Show moreThe last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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