“Vanessa has demonstrated her quality and efficiency in finishing at an impressive rate over several years. She has also played in all league games in the past two seasons,” said Bayer 04 Women sporting director Achim Feifel. “At 23, she still has great development potential and can be deployed in all positions in attack. That makes her a very good fit for our philosophy.”
Born in Nuremberg, Fudalla has scored 69 goals in 107 competitive matches for Leipzig since 2020. She was promoted to the Bundesliga with the club in 2023 as top scorer in the second division (20 goals). She has scored 10 goals in each of the past two seasons. The 23-year-old also has one goal in four caps for Germany’s U23s.
“After five years at Leipzig, it's time for me to take on a new challenge. Leverkusen has always been a very attractive club for me,” said Fudalla. “When the people in charge got in touch, I didn't have to think twice. The development of the past season in particular shows that a lot is possible here. I would like to play a part in this and strengthen the team with my qualities.”
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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