
This year again promises very special highlights for all participants at the Simply Football (Einfach Fußball) benefit tournament for four special schools at the Ostermann Arena (formerly Smidt Arena) in Leverkusen. You can look forward to lots of play and fun as there will be a bouncy castle as well as an autograph session with our Bayer 04 pros. And our Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion will also be there to ensure a good mood. There is also a goal wall and big tombola where you can win great Bayer 04 prizes.
Simply football is a joint project between Bayer AG and Bayer 04 Leverkusen that is designed to help children and teenagers with mental, physical or learning difficulties have access to club football. Up to now over 20 agreements have been made between clubs in special schools.
Profits from the tournament will go to the Friends of Hugo Kükelhaus School and Friends of the Martin Buber School.
Participants include FK Austria Vienna, Werder Bremen and Simply Football teams with children and teenagers with mental disability. And, for the first time, our Lions Club will field their own team to play at this years benefit tournament special schools. Entrance is free. So come on down on 5 March between 10.00 and 16.00 CET to support the teams.


Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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