"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."
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
Show more
Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
Show more
