The 90-minute training session for the Werkself squad started punctually at 10.30 CEST. Amongst the players present was Granit Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Premier League runners-up Arsenal at the start of July, and now on the training ground with his new teammates for the first time.
The first training session for the 30-year-old Switzerland international was again watched by a large number of Bayer 04 fans. They saw several players from the youth teams who completed stretching and coordination drills as well as finishing practice together with Xhaka and Co.
There was a small surprise towards the end of the training session: Robert Andrich, who is currently completing rehab at the Werkstatt in the BayArena, joined his teammates as a spectator in the final minutes of training.
Xhaka, who completed an individual running session with fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez
after the session, was one of the last to leave the pitch – and, of course, he was very much in demand with the fans for photos and autographs.
Many of the supporters, as usual, had shorts, rucksacks and shirts – including the new Werkself home shirt for the 2023/24 season – signed. The new home shirt went on sale this week. If you want to get the new shirt: HERE is the online shop.
After Xhaka has now started full training and got to know the squad, the Switzerland international will face his first press conference since his move to Leverkusen on Friday 14 July when he will talk about his first impressions at Bayer 04. The statements of the 30-year-old midfielder will be available on the Bayer 04 club channels afterwards.
Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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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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Bayer 04 have named Jorginho, a 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, an official club legend. He is the second former Werkself player, after Paulo Sergio, to be accorded this special honour. For many years, the former Leverkusen defender has been deeply committed to helping people in need in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 25 years ago, Jorginho launched the Bola pra Frente project, through which he uses the money he earned as a player – including during his time at Bayer 04 – to support children and young people in the favelas in particular. During a trip to Brazil lasting several days, Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, assured Jorginho of the club’s support for Bola pra Frente for at least another five years.
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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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