
"Now we have created the position where players develop so successfully here that they are then able to take the next step to a top club. It was similar with Lisanne Gräwe and Elisa Senß who have both become Germany internationals," said Thomas Eichin, director of professional teams and thereby also responsible for the Women's section at Bayer 04: "Losing players like that is a pity but understandable. We have to continue working sustainably to soon be able to have further players of a similar quality to Janou."
Levels joined Bayer 04 in the summer of 2023 after five years at PSV Eindhoven. Since then the two-time Netherlands international has played 38 games and scored two goals.
"Janou is an important part of the team as a leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room," said Achim Feifel, Bayer 04 Women's team sporting director. "We are very grateful for her commitment and we wish her all the best for the future."
"I really felt at home and valued from the start at Bayer 04. It's a very special feeling that definitely isn't a given. So I'm very grateful looking back at the last two years where I've developed on and off the pitch," said Levels: "I'm particularly proud to be part of this so successful season. Now I'm ready for the next step in my career but Leverkusen will always have a place in my heart."

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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