Bayer 04 extend contract with Julia Mickenhagen

"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."