Jens, you were named as an honorary captain at the home game against RB Leipzig in front of a full house at the BayArena. What does that moment mean to you?
Nowotny: The reaction of the fans and the chants at the stadium made me very happy. I see it as a great honour to be called on to join the group of honorary captains. At the same time, that also brings the responsibility to represent and set as an example the values and principles of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Of course, you too will have followed the Werkself last season with great delight. When did you realise that it would be enough to produce such great success?
Nowotny: From my perspective, the matchdays immediately after the winter break were incredibly important. I was keen to see how Bayer 04 and the other teams would get on. After the sometimes very narrow but victorious games at Augsburg and Leipzig, at home to Gladbach and then at Darmstadt I first had the thought: Yes, we can really do it. That thought was finally confirmed after the victory against Bayern Munich.
What are you most looking forward to at the start of this season?
Nowotny: I will just enjoy carrying on watching Bayer 04 at this extremely high level backed up by the big wins. I just want to watch good football and I'm confident that wish will be fulfilled.
Let's come to the trophy tour to New York City, which you are doing together with Fernando Carro. You will present the trophies to the Bayer colleagues in North America.
Nowotny: From our trip to Asia with Bayer 04 many years ago, I can still remember how surprised the locals were that we had a Veterans team. (He laughs) The fact is: With a trip like that you can significantly increase the profile of Bayer 04 worldwide in the Bayer Group and also far beyond it. I'm very much looking forward to the meetings and experiences over there.
Will you also have some free time in the breathtaking metropolis? What do you definitely want to see in New York City?
Nowotny: I'll take it as it comes and let myself be inspired. I want to represent Bayer 04 as best as possible together with Fernando Carro and give the people over there an insight into the world of the club. At some point I will definitely come back to New York with my wife to see more of the city. (He laughs)
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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