"Julia had her first chance in our Bundesliga team last season and she took it. She is now an established member of the squad but also has a lot of potential to develop," said Achim Feifel, the Bayer 04 Women's team sporting director, about the 19-year-old: "We have great confidence in her ability and are sure this will be seen more and more on the pitch in future."
The ten-time U19 international Mickenhagen came to Leverkusen from SG Wipperfeld/Thier and progressed through the U16, U17 and U23 teams. She played her only game in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga to date last February in the match away to FC Nürnberg (2-1). She was in the squad for two more matches. She was selected by Germany U19 coach Michael Urbansky last Thursday for the European Championships ibnv Lithuania from 14 to 27 July.
"I'm very much looking forward to working with our new coach Roberto Pätzold. After a hopefully successful Euros I want to bring that back to Leverkusen straightaway," said Mickenhagen: "I've got the best opportunity and facilities here to be able to continue my development and I want to get as much time on the pitch as possible in the Bundesliga in the coming season."
The Werkself continue their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with their third friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Wednesday 29 July (kick-off 15:00 CEST). Werkself-TV is broadcasting the match live and in full in a stream from 14:50 CEST...
Bayer 04 are back on the pitch. Following the first training sessions, the Werkself play the first pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 18. The match against Oberliga club Sportfreunde Baumberg kicks off at 15:30 CEST in Monheim am Rhein. Fans unable to attend the match can watch head coach Carles Martínez’s first game in charge for free via a livestream at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app, as well as on Werkself.tv (exclusively for members). Just log on and watch the games live. All the other Werkself preseason friendlies leading up to the 2026/27 season will also be streamed live for free.
Show more
Bayer 04 is redesigning the public catering at the BayArena and Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for the start of the 2026/27 season. Together with new catering partner Aramark, processes will be developed and the service at the stadium will be improved in a targeted way.
Show more
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
Show more
