The Werkself started training this week on Monday afternoon without Sven Bender: The Bayer 04 number five picked up a foot injury in Saturday's 3-0 win in the friendly at Sportfreunde Siegen and is likely to be out of action for a couple of days. In contrast, there was positive news for Dominik Kohr who completed two one-on-one sessions on the training ground with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin on Monday following his knee injury – the 24-year-old may return to full training in the next few days. The same applies to Panos Retsos who will have a carbon splint fitted on Tuesday after his metacarpal fracture – he is due to return to full training at the training camp in Zell am See.
The Kicker sports journal has reviewed and ranked the Bundesliga pros for last season. The rankings for the positions of central defence and goalkeeper were published in today's edition (#60): In the view of the editors, Jonathan Tah achieved fifth place in the 'International class' for his number of challenges and ability to start moves. And his fellow defender Sven Bender (fifteenth) was ranked in the 'Up and coming' group. A total of 18 players qualified. Amongst the goalkeepers, Bernd Leno also finished in the 'Up and coming' group in ninth position. The shot-stopper has moved on to Arsenal to take on a new challenge in the Premier League. His successor in goal for the Werkself, the former Eintracht Frankfurt keeper, Lukas Hradecky, was the sixth-best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga according to Kicker. Congratulations to all 04!
It's common knowledge that there are a number of motor sport fans at the Werkself. After Lars and Sven Bender went to the Austrian Grand Prix in July, Benny Henrichs and Jonathan Tah used their day off on Sunday to go and watch Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Co. in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. The Bayer 04 defenders met up with a number of guests including World Champion Nico Rosberg, Germany striker Timo Werner and celebrity photographer Paul Ripke.
Werkself pro Leon Bailey had an exclusive media session at the Fritz-Jacobi-Halle in Leverkusen-Manfort. At the end of March, he was able to witness the unconventional training methods used by sprinter Gina Lückenkemper – also in relation to the forthcoming German Championships for the TSV Bayer Leverkusen athlete. After the 21-year-old successfully defended her 100-metre national title at the weekend, the Werkself number nine sent his congratulations to the athlete. The super fast Jamaican wished the top German sprinter every success at the European Championships in Berlin (7 to 12 August) in a video message.
The Werkself face fourth tier Wuppertaler SV in the third pre-season friendly tomorrow. The game at the Stadion am Zoo (Hubertusallee 4, 42117 Wuppertal) kicks off at 19.00 CET. As in Saturday's game against Siegen, Bayer 04 TV will again broadcast the match live on bayer04.de and the Werkself Facebook page. In addition, the Social Media section will be there to report via the usual club streams.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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