
"In Friederike Abt we have been able to bring in a goalkeeper who has experience at the highest level. We want to be as strong as possible in this important position – including over the long term. With Friederike, we are bringing a highly talented keeper into our team," said Bayer 04 head coach Achim Feifel about the summer signing.
The experienced 26-year-old, who has penned a two-year contract at the Werkself, has already made 65 Bundesliga appearances. She joined Wolfsburg as a backup keeper in 2019 from Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and played in goal for VfL in five league matches, six DFB Cup ties and four Champions League games including the finals in Spain in 2020. Her contract with the Wolves runs out on 30 June 2021.
"I'm really looking forward to this new sporting and personal challenge at Bayer 04 Leverkusen the next season. The impressive development of the team and conversations with the management have convinced me to make the move. I want to contribute my experience to help achieve targets," said the Bielefeld born shot-stopper.

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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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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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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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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