The match against the Spanish top-flight side is part of the 'Trofeo Naranja', a summer cup tournament at FC Valencia since 1959. The friendly will be played at the Estadi de Mestalla, home to the UEFA Cup winners of 2004. Following on from Bayern Munich (1972), Borussia Mönchengladbach (1977, 1979), FC Kaiserslautern (1982), Hamburg SV (1984) and Werder Bremen (1993), Bayer 04 will be the sixth German club to play in the (47th) 'Orange Cup' one year before the Spanish clubs 100th anniversary.
Last season, Valencia ended up fourth in the Primera Division behind Barcelona, Atletico and Real Madrid and are qualified for next season's Champions League. That competition is the only time the Werkself have played the finalists from 2000 and 2001 when the two sides met in the group stage in the 2010/11 campaign. The first leg in Valencia ended in a 3-1 defeat but the Werkself under coach Robin Dutt secured a 2-1 win in the return leg at the BayArena with goals from André Schürrle and Sidney Sam).
Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
Show more
A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
Show more
A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
Show more
