"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."
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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