“Kai has played for us for ten years including four seasons in the first team. During that time, he’s become an international player and has already made brilliant achievements despite his youth,” declared sporting managing director Rudi Völler. He believes the 21-year-old is “already world class and definitely one of the best players ever to play for Bayer 04. In the next few years, Kai will prove what a great player he is in the extremely demanding English league.”
For sporting director Simon Rolfes, Havertz‘ departure is “obviously a loss in footballing terms. Kai is a wonderful player who deserves his future both in the Premier League and with Germany,” said Rolfes. “He will definitely make it at the highest level in England and provide an impressive example of how young players can develop at Bayer 04 – promoted and shaped in a team with great opportunities and ambition.”
Havertz leaves Leverkusen, where he progressed from the Kurtekotten Academy into an exceptional player the target of nearly all the top European clubs, with thoroughly divided feelings: “I’ve been here so long with so many people – with coaches, teammates, staff and fans – and experienced wonderful things. You don’t just forget that by changing clubs,” said the attacking midfielder. “I’d like to thank everybody at Leverkusen, who have helped and supported me over the ten years, from the bottom of my heart. I grew up here and became an adult here – as a player and also as a person,” said Havertz. “But the time has come for a new start. And I’m looking forward it.”
ARD’s Sportschau has released the five nominees for October 2024’s Goal of the Month in Germany, with Aleix Garcia’s free-kick in the DFB Pokal against Elversberg on the shortlist. Bayer 04 fans have until 7pm CET on 23 November to vote.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women's team won the derby away to FC Köln thanks a Cornelia Kramer brace. At the start of the Bundesliga Matchday 8, Roberto Pätzold's team secured a 2-1 win away to the Rhine rivals at the Franz Kremer Stadium. The Danish striker Kramer opened the scoring on 77 seconds and then doubled her tally from the penalty spot (25').
Show moreThe runners-up visit Leverkusen: Bayer 04 open Bundesliga Matchday 9 against VfB Stuttgart on Friday, 1 November (kick-off: 20.30 CET). Matchday news brings you the latest information on the game at the BayArena.
Show moreRüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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