"We are very happy that Sven has decided to sign for us," said sporting director Rudi Völler. "He's an extraordinarily experienced and versatile player who has showed his class in central defence most recently at Dortmund. His quality and leadership ability will do a lot of good for our young team."
Head coach Heiko Herrlich is also very impressed by the six-time Germany international and Olympic Silver medal winner from 2016: "Sven Bender is not just a high quality signing as a player," declared Herrlich. "I had a lot of discussions with him and my assessment has proved to be right. His mentality, his complete team spirit make him an ideal leader both on and off the pitch. Just like his brother Lars, Sven is the type of player that every team needs: at the top level in terms of football, extremely committed, relentless, passionate for the whole group. It's great to have both Benders in one team."
For Sven Bender, who played alongside Lars at TSV 1860 Munich up to 2009 in the second division, the move to Leverkusen represents an important boost in a successful career: "After eight wonderful years Dortmund the approach from Leverkusen was particularly attractive. From the many games against Bayer 04 I know the strength of this club. And I also know how much at home Lars feels here," said Bender who made 224 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. "Bayer 04 worked really hard to sign me and I and they gave me the impression they really wanted me to help achieve ambitious targets. That's why I definitely wanted to make the move. It's great it's all worked out."
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Austria or Kosovo? Claudia Wenger or Lumbardha Misini? Only one of these two Bayer 04 women will see her dream of competing at the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027) live on beyond the next two weeks. From a Leverkusen perspective, the two direct clashes between the Werkself players as they battle for a place in the second play-off round stand out during the upcoming international break. For several other players, the chance of a World Cup place is also at stake. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the women’s international call-ups.
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