Merino Gonzalez, who signed her first professional contract in January 2023, has been with the Werkself since 2017 and U13 level. She was top scorer as Bayer 04 won the U17 Bundesliga in 2022/23 and has since made 49 senior appearances (two goals). The 18-year-old forward has started four out of six Bundesliga games this season as a full-back.
The fact that one of our own, who’s come through all our youth teams, has won this award is nice proof of our youth work and great acknowledgement for everyone who’s been involved in this development,” said Bayer 04 Women’s sporting director Achim Feifel. “At the same time, it’s also an incentive to us to further professionalise our youth section so we can continue to grow players like her in the future.”
The U19s golden medal went to Alara Sehitler of Bayern Munich, with bronze to Meppen’s Thea Farwick. Merino Gonzalez’s teammate Loreen Bender and Francis Onyeka of the men’s team, who is currently on loan at Bochum, had both won gold in the U19s and U17s categories respectively last year.
Leverkusen’s Fritz Walter Medal winners:
2025: Estrella Merino Gonzalez (U19/silver)
2024: Francis Onyeka (U17/gold), Loreen Bender (U19/gold)
2022: Florian Wirtz (U19/gold), Lisanne Gräwe (U19/gold), Clara Fröhlich (U17/gold)
2020: Florian Wirtz (U17/gold)
2018: Kai Havertz (U19/gold)
2016: Benjamin Henrichs (U19/gold), Kai Havertz (U17/silver), Nina Ehegötz (gold)
2015: Jonathan Tah (U19/gold)
2014: Julian Brandt (U18/gold); Levin Öztunali (U18/silver)
2013: Dominik Kohr (U19/bronze)
2012: Dominik Kohr (U18/bronze)
2011: Johanna Elsig (gold)
2010: Kolja Pusch (U17/bronze)
2008: Marcel Risse (U19/bronze); Richard Sukuta-Pasu (U18/bronze)
2007: Stefan Reinartz (U18/bronze); Nils Teixeira (U17/bronze)
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
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After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
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As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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