Tillman most recent in list of distinguished U.S. players at Bayer 04

For over ten years, Leverkusen had not featured a U.S. player on its roster — David Yelldell was the last in 2015. Tillman’s signing in 2025 ended that drought, placing him in a small but notable fraternity of American players who once wore the Black and Red before making—or continuing—their mark with the United States Men's National Team.

The pioneers of the 1990s

The story begins with Claudio Reyna, one of the most technically-gifted midfielders the U.S. has ever produced. Reyna joined Leverkusen in 1994, just after being a member of the U.S. team at the 1994 World Cup held in North America. He made 29 appearances over three seasons for Die Werkself. While his time in Germany was formative rather than headline-grabbing, it laid the foundation for a career that would see him become a central figure at multiple World Cups, including as the U.S. captain in 2002 and 2006, earning 111 caps and eight goals. Meanwhile, his professional club career took him to Rangers, Sunderland, Manchester City and a final season at the New York Red Bulls.

Alongside Reyna in the mid-90s was Thomas Dooley, a German-born defender with an American military father, whose leadership and experience proved invaluable when playing for the national team. Dooley made 23 appearances and scored four goals during his lone season (1994–95) with Leverkusen. He would go on to captain the U.S. at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, embodying the blend of European football savvy and American grit that defined many from that generation of U.S. national teamers.

A new wave in the late 1990s & early 2000s

As the Bundesliga grew more receptive to American talent, Frankie Hejduk arrived in 1998 on the heels of his performance at the 1998 World Cup. Known for his relentless energy and defensive tenacity, Hejduk made 28 appearances and scored once during his four seasons at Leverkusen.  Though he never became a regular starter in the Bundesliga, he made considerable contributions during Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign in 1999-2000. His development in Germany ultimately contributed to his emergence as a key player for the Red, White & Blue, including the 2002 World Cup, when he started four games at left back as the team reached the quarterfinals.

That same era also saw a brief stop from Landon Donovan along the Dhünn River. Widely regarded as one of the greatest American players of all time, Donovan’s stint (2000–01) in Leverkusen was short—just nine appearances as he struggled to adjust to a new environment—but significant in hindsight. His lack of playing time in Leverkusen ultimately led him back to the U.S., where he flourished into a national football icon, winning six MLS Cups and becoming the all-time leader in goals and assists for the U.S. National Team (now tied with Clint Dempsey with 57 goals).

Mid-2000s & beyond

Reyna, Donovan and Dooley are perhaps the biggest American names to play at Bayer 04, but others followed. Jermaine Jones had a brief spell at Leverkusen in 2004–05, making nine appearances. Though he would achieve greater club success elsewhere in Germany with Eintracht and Schalke, Jones became a cornerstone of the U.S. midfield in the 2010s, remembered especially for his workman-like performances at the 2014 World Cup when the U.S. finished second in their group behind Germany.

The last American before Tillman’s signing was goalkeeper David Yelldell, who made two appearances between 2011 and 2016. While his impact on the pitch was limited, his presence marked the end of an era—until this season.

A new American chapter with Tillman

Tillman’s arrival this season signals more than just a roster addition; it represents a link to the history between Leverkusen and American soccer players dating back more than 30 years. Already contributing with 8 goals and 36 appearances in his debut season with Bayer 04, Tillman brings a modern profile—technically sharp, positionally versatile with the ability to score from different areas in and around the box.

Tillman is fortunate to join a Leverkusen side re-modeling and re-shaping itself following the departure of numerous top players and head coach Xabi Alonso after the 2024 double title and subsequent 2024-25 campaign. This has provided the 23-year-old midfielder a platform few Americans at the club have previously enjoyed — to evolve with the team. Yet the path he follows was paved by those who came before—players who, whether in brief stints or foundational roles, carried lessons from Leverkusen into influential careers with the U.S. team.

From Reyna’s elegance to Donovan’s explosiveness, from Hejduk’s tireless runs to Jones’ midfield steel, the American footprint at Bayer 04 may be small, but it is undeniably impactful. Now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Malik Tillman is writing his own football chapter at the BayArena and on the international stage, continuing to link Leverkusen with the evolution of the U.S. Men’s National Team.