The U19 first choice goalkeeper Marcel Johnen has collected a wealth of experience in training over recent months. Alongside Lukas Hradecky, Lennart Grill and Niklas Lomb, the 18-year-old regularly took part in sessions with the Werkself senior squad. In the coming season, Johnen will be between the sticks for third division FC Saarbrücken. If all works out well then he should make his first professional appearances in Saarland.
FCS sporting director Jürgen Luginger, himself a former player at Bayer 04 (1986/87), said in relation to the new signing from Leverkusen: "With Marcel we are bringing in a talented goalkeeper who we hope to develop as a professional over the next two years. He's really good on the ball."
Johnen's current U19 teammate Niklas Determann is going into the Regional League West. The midfielder is joining Sportfreunde Lotte. Seymour Fünger (Fortuna Köln) and left-back Phil Kemper (Borussia Mönchengladbach U23s) will be in the same league next season.
Luca Wesemann (Alemannia Aachen U19) and Amin Haj-Yahya (FC Nürnberg U19) will spend another season at the same youth level playing in the U19 Bundesliga West or South/South-west respectively.
Confirmed U19 transfers:
Marcel Johnen (FC Saarbrücken)
Niklas Determann (Sportfreunde Lotte)
Seymour Fünger (SC Fortuna Köln)
Phil Kemper (Borussia Mönchengladbach U23)
Luca Wesemann (Alemannia Aachen U19)
Amin Haj-Yahya (FC Nürnberg U19)
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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