"Emilie immediately established herself as a valuable part of the defence without any teething problems," said Achim Feifel, the Bayer 04 Women's team sporting director: "At the same time, we see a lot of potential in her that she can continue to develop over the coming years. That's why we are very happy with the agreement with Bayern Munich."
Bragstad played 21 of 22 matches in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga for Bayer 04 in the 2023/24 season and scored two goals. There were also two appearances in the DFB Pokal. The 22-year-old joined Leverkusen on loan in the summer of 2023 after winning the German league title with the Munich side.
"After a good season here at Leverkusen, I'm convinced I can get even better and that we can achieve a lot more as a team as well," said Bragstad: "I'd like to continue in helping us to further strengthen our defence and I'd also like to contribute even more in attack."
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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