Rudi Völler presented the shirt sent by the PZPN for the versatile midfielder with Stanilewicz and number 18 on the back. "It's always special being called up for a World Cup. And as a club, we are obviously happy that our training and education has play a part in that. But it's mainly Adrian who's earned it through his continually impressive performances this season, above all with the U19 side," said the Bayer 04 managing director sport.
In the season just gone, Stanilewicz played in all 26 games for the Bayer 04 U19s in the U19 Bundesliga and he scored three goals. At the end of December, the left footer made his debut for the first team in the Europa League game at AEK Larnaca (5-1).
At the U 20 World Cup he will be with the Poland squad coached by Jacek Magiera in the group stage in Lodz for the games against Colombia (23 May, 20.30 CET), Tahiti (26 May, 20.30 CET) and Senegal (29 May, 20.30 CET).
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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