Furkan ‘FURKY’ Kayacik joined Leverkusen in September 2021 where he was both an eSports player as well as content creator. The 23-year-old played for Bayer 04 in the VBL Club Championship, the Global Series and in the DFB eCup September. Kayacik was in the top 16 in this year's VBL Grand Finals and in the top eight in the DFB eCup. "We thank Furky for his great commitment over the last two years. He was not only a brilliant example for eSports at Bayer 04 on the console but also throughout the digital world," said Julian Kaiser, the eSports manager.
This season, Sean ‘SEAN_LDW07’ Landwehr will join his cousin Marc ‘MARC_LDW23’ Landwehr. The 20-year-old Leverkusen-born player was most recently at FC Victoria Köln eSports where he finished runner-up in the third division. Kaiser on the new signing: "We are very happy to welcome Sean into our ranks as another eSports player from Leverkusen. He has demonstrated his ability as an eSports player in the virtual third division and we are confident he will be a valuable addition to us on the virtual pitch as well as off it – in particular alongside his cousin Marc."
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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