
“With Nina, we’ve been able to sign an established Bundesliga player for our defence who will bring a wealth of experience to the team. She’s an absolutely positive character with a strong desire to win and that will very much help our team,” said head coach Achim Feifel, who was at Hamburg SV with the new signing.
Brüggemann has clocked up 125 Bundesliga appearances and has also played in 14 DFB Cup ties and 17 games in the Bundesliga Second Division North. The 27-year-old made her top-flight debut for HSV under Feifel in 2009. She then joined the USA college team Sun Devils at the Arizona State University in 2012. Brüggemann signed for Bundesliga newcomers BV Cloppenburg for the 2013/14 campaign. After another season in second division, the player born in Pinneberg (Schleswig-Holstein) moved on to SGS Essen.

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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