
Hi kids,
A warm welcome back to the Lions Club. I've been one of you fair some two and a half years. Back then I was asked whether I wanted to be a sort of member of the Lions Club. I was the youngest player in the team at the time and a couple of people from Bayer 04 thought it would be a good match between me and the youngest Werkself fans.
They were right! They officially named me as patron and I've been to a couple of your events at Christmas parties and similar occasions. And I've seen how much fun you all have together. And not just with watching football. All the other things you do together would have given me great pleasure when I was your age. Just carry on, stick together and in you enjoy your time at Bayer. And, above all, cross your fingers for us to achieve our targets again this season.
At the end of the day that's the best thing there is. To be nervous, to hope and, finally, to celebrate with your club when they win. And you can also be sad if it doesn't work out. But not for long! Then you go again, looking forward to getting stuck into the next game.
According to the motto 'Strong Bayer – strong Lions'. I've just thought of that. Perhaps you can take it over for the future. With a motto like that then nothing can go wrong, can it?
So kids – to a good, strong as a lion rest of the season.
Yours Julian


Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
The Werkself returned from the near one-month break in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with a convincing victory at home. Roberto Pätzold's side beat SC Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Katharina Piljic, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Cornelia Kramer and Carlotta Wamser ensuring a 13th win of the season at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The Black and Reds, who are now on 40 points, move up to fourth place at least overnight.
Show more
The fifth consecutive derby win over 1. FC Köln was a hugely significant one in terms of the battle for the UEFA Champions League places. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, speaking for the whole team, dedicated the 2-1 victory in the cathedral city to the travelling support: "I'm especially happy about this victory for our fans!" Get the rest of the reaction from those involved and the media, as well as some impressive stats on two-goal hero Patrik Schick and a look at the all-time Bundesliga table, in the Werkself Review.
Show more