
“Verena is very talented, ambitious and can play up front on both wings. We are absolutely convinced of her potential,” said Feifel about new signing Wieder. The 20-year-old came through the youth ranks at FC Bayern and went on to make 24 appearances for the first and second teams. She signed for SC Freiburg in 2018 and also played 24 games for the club from the Breisgau.
Wieder tore a cruciate in a friendly in January 2020 and is now looking to get stuck in again after recovering from injury. “First of all, I’d like to say thank you for the confidence shown in me. It’s not a matter of course to be given a chance like that after such a serious injury. I’d like to help the team on the pitch as soon as possible and I’m looking forward to taking the next step in my career,” said Wieder. The winger has played for all the Germany youth teams from the U15s.
Kögel is joining Leverkusen from Bayern Munich. As with Wieder, the 20-year-old, who plays in central midfield, has also played for all the Germany youth teams from the U15s up. In addition, Kögel has mainly played in Bundesliga 2: Born in Neu-Ulm, she was at VfL Sindelfingen Ladies from 2016 to 2017; in 2017/18 she moved on to FC Bayern where she made three appearances for the first team and 57 for the reserves.
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and being able to take the next steps in the Bundesliga. The positive talks and professional conditions impressed me from the start. I can hardly wait to join the girls on the pitch,” said Kögel. Her future coach Feifel explained: “Kristin is dangerous in front of goal from central and attacking midfield. She will liven up our attacking game with her creativity.”

The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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