The 6- to 14-year-olds took their places on the edge of the pitch at the BayArena wide-eyed and full of questions. There was great excitement when Karim Bellarabi opened the door to the inside of the stadium. The popularity of the career of the offensive player amongst the youngsters was clear from one of the first questions: "Bellarabi, how do you become a football player?"
In addition, the Leverkusen crowd favourite revealed that his current squad number 38 was the same in his professional debut for Eintracht Braunschweig and that he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Black and Reds in a home game against Bayern Munich. Another very special moment was the sound of the Champions League anthem before the start of matches in Europe’s premier club competition.
After the thirst for knowledge of the young players had been sated and autographs made on shirts, boots and drinking bottles, Bellarabi signed off with a group selfie with the enthusiastic children and teenagers at the Bayer 04 soccer school.
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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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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