The day was also highlighted by an official visit to the Bundesliga International Americas Office, where Nowotny and Carro presented a signed jersey from all the players on last year's undefeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen squad to hang on the Wall of Fame of team memorabilia in the scenic league office overlooking Union Square, Manhattan.
"We have come three years in a row to the U.S. now with a game in St. Louis in 2022, an official visit to Miami last year and now this latest trophy tour to New York City," said Carro. "It was great to see first-hand from media, fans and partners the impact and enthusiasm that last year's historic season has had in markets like the U.S."
Of course, the trophies were also part of the Friday's activities, just one day after they made several stops throughout the New York area including to the 100th floor of the Edge in Hudson Yards for one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.
Aside from meetings on Friday, Carro also made a visit to MetLife Stadium, site of the 2026 World Cup Final.
Carro and Nowotny return to Germany on Friday evening in time for the Hoffenheim kick-off Saturday, but the trophies will remain another day with a chance for fans to see the silverware up close on Saturday at Radegast Hall & Biergarten in Brooklyn from 9-12h local-time and Saturdays Football in Little Italy from 16-19h (New York-time).
Cover (left to right): Jens Nowotny (Honorary captain, Bayer 04), Fernando Carro (Chief executive officer, Bayer 04) and Dave Tomasi (President North America Bayer AG, Consumer Health)
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
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Continuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.
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