Erlein, who was born in Heidelberg, moved from the Astoria Walldorf youth section to the Hoffenheim academy in 2018, where he progressed through all the age groups. He won the German U19 Championship and the DFB Junior Cup in 2024, and also made appearances in the UEFA Youth League during the 2024/25 season, including against Manchester City. The next milestone came in early 2025 in the group stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League, when the defender made his professional debut in a 4–3 victory over top Belgian club RSC Anderlecht.
Last season, the 1.90-metre-tall Erlein gained further valuable playing experience and featured for TSG's reserves in the third division. In his first three matches, the defender provided three assists.
From a young age, Erlein also made regular appearances for Germany's youth national teams. He made his debut for the U19s in September 2025 against Croatia, and was immediately handed the captain’s armband. Two matches later, the defender also scored his first goal for Germany’s U19s.
At the recently concluded U19 European Championship in Wales, the new Leverkusen signing reached the final alongside Bayer 04 professionals Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka – who is currently on loan at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg – before he and his side were defeated by Spain in the final. Erlein played the full 90 minutes in every match of the tournament.
An overview of current ticket sales for Bayer 04 home and away matches in the 2026/27 season.
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Three games, three wins: Bayer 04 secured a 2–0 victory at Greek Cup winners OFI Crete with Jonas Hofmann scoring both goals at the Pankritio Stadium, right on the Mediterranean coast (35’, 38’). As a result, the Werkself have temporarily taken over top spot in the table on Matchday 3 of the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.
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'40 Years Across Europe' - and for the first time ever, Bayer 04 are travelling to Greece's biggest island for a European clash. There they'll take on OFI Crete - full name Omilos Filathlon Irakleiou (‘Association of Sports Friends of Heraklion’) - on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The meeting with the Greek Cup winners kicks off at 18:45 CEST on Thursday 22 October at the Pankritio. We’ll bring you all the latest updates from the trip here…
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Two games – two wins: Bayer 04 have picked up maximum points from their two matches so far in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. What's more, of their previous 14 UEL matches, Bayer 04 have lost just one. Away to OFI Crete, Carles Martínez’s side are looking to add another successful performance on the European stage to their string of impressive displays. The Greeks, for their part, have been waiting four matches for a win, but Leverkusen should be on their guard: OFI’s most recent victory came against a German side. Today's matchday news.
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Ahead of Bayer 04's Europa League match away to OFI Crete in Greece, defender Jarell Quansah spoke to Werkself-TV...
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