“It’s a really important signing for us at the end of the transfer window,” said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes in describing the latest signing for the Werkself. “Amine Adli is the last part of the jigsaw in terms of the composition of the squad we definitely wanted. He has incredible speed and very good technique, is very agile and full of tricks. I’m sure we will have a huge amount of pleasure from him in the coming years.”
In view of the qualities of Adli in attack, sporting managing director Rudi Völler believes the Frenchman is “an ideal strengthening of our squad. Amine is a player we wanted. The fact such a much sought-after young player has opted to join us in the face of competition from big clubs says a lot about Bayer 04 Leverkusen. International top talents like Amine know they will get their minutes on the pitch and be able prove themselves and develop at the highest level.”
The 5 foot 10 left-footer, whose 8 goals and 7 assists in 33 games played a big part in Toulouse making the play-offs for Ligue 1, sees Bayer 04 as “a club that really attracted me. I definitely wanted to come here. Leverkusen have a style of play that suits me completely,” said Adli, who was voted 2020/21 Player of the Season in Ligue 2, who can play on both flanks as well as a false nine. “The team likes to attack, has very quick and technically strong players. I can hardly wait to play football with these lads – it will be great fun.”
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
Show more
