Granit Xhaka on...
...his move to Leverkusen: I had very good talks with Simon Rolfes (sporting managing director, ed.) and also with Xabi. The ideas and philosophy of the club persuaded me. It was a straightforward decision to join Leverkusen. I really feel at home here although it's only my second day. The lads are brilliant and I've had a great reception.
…his targets for the coming season: Now I'm going to try to apply the experience, which I gained in the last few years in London (at Arsenal, ed.), here and bring this young team with me. It's a challenge but I see loads of potential here. The players are in great shape and there’s a very good team spirit.
...his new head coach: There's ten years difference but we've had a connection for a long while through our common experience in the Bundesliga. We faced each other as opponents back then, he was playing for Bayern Munich and I was at Gladbach (Borussia Mönchengladbach, ed.).That was almost the first thing we talked about. Bayern always tore us apart, they had a great team back then. Xabi is a role model for everybody – players and coaches. And his first call to me was something special. I'm happy I can now be part of this team.
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
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At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
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Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
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