Back
13.07.2022Football Academy

Jonathan Tah visits soccer school

A big highlight for the kids at the Bayer 04 Soccer School: Today, Wednesday 13 July, Werkself player Jonathan Tah took time out to visit the youngsters and answer a host of questions. The Germany international also met requests for selfies and autographs on shirts, bottles, balls and even boots.
crop_20220713_JS_Geburtstagsset_0095.jpg

Two weeks after the Bayer 04 goalkeeper Niklas Lomb visited the soccer school, it was the turn of Werkself defender Jonathan Tah to attend the "somewhat different" media event following today's training session.

At 12.30, the Werkself number four reached the packed press conference room at the BayArena with the 6- to 14-year-old kids from the Bayer 04 Soccer School waiting full of excitement. A few minutes later there was huge joy and applause when the door finally opened and the central defender entered the room.

crop_20220713_JS_Geburtstagsset_0062.jpg

who is your best buddy?

Following the vocal welcome, the youngsters had the chance to put a wide variety of questions the giant defender: On his career as a football player, his best memories in a Black and Red shirt or his best buddy in the team. The answer from the Hamburg-born player to the last question: Edmond Tapsoba who the 26-year-old has formed the central defensive partnership at Leverkusen with since 2020.

The biggest laugh came in response to the question of which of his Germany teammates "fools about most." After a moment's thought, it was clear to Tah, who has been at Leverkusen since 2015: Leroy Sané – "He is definitely the biggest joker with his 'mop of hair' and he always has a cheeky word or two to say."

 

 

crop_20220713_JS_Geburtstagsset_0086.jpg

Autographs, Selfies, Group photos

At the end of the questions, all of the 60 children were able to get one or several autographs on drink bottles, rucksacks or different parts of the kit. The requests covered a wide area: It didn't matter whether it was the shoulder or the number on the back – Tah met all the children's wishes, answering more questions from the inquisitive kids and he also took a number of selfies. One or two children thought of friends and family and they went for it two or three times: "For grandad, my best mate and the rest of the family," said one beaming boy.

Before Jona said goodbye there was time for a group photo with the smiling children and teenagers proudly standing in front of, behind and next to the defender.

Tah: "these events make most fun"

A very successful afternoon for the visibly happy youngsters at the Bayer 04 Soccer School. And Tah was also enthusiastic about the event: "Events like this just make the most fun because you can see the excitement in the kids’ eyes and, of course, you get completely different questions than usual. (He laughs)

Related News

Bayer 04 Women suffer narrow defeat to Wolfsburg | 2nd matchday
Werkself-TV - 30.08.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.

Edmond Tapsoba und Christian Kofane vor der Kurve
Bundesliga - 30.08.2026

Werkself review #ELVB04: ‘Do much, much better next week’

In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.

Show more
Patrik Schick
Bundesliga - 29.08.2026

Werkself lose 3-2 at Elversberg despite late comeback in Bundesliga opener

No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #ELVB04
Bundesliga - 29.08.2026

Matchday news #ELVB04: Bundesliga opener against newcomer with strong attack

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..

Show more
Autogrammstunde
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026

Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio

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.

Show more