
"Katharina has continued to develop during her time with us and has matured into an absolute top performer. A player of her calibre naturally attracts the interest of other clubs," says Achim Feifel, Sporting Director of Bayer 04 Women: "Of course, we would have liked to keep her at the club over the long term, but she has now decided to take a different path. We wish her all the best for the future."
Born in Essen, Piljic moved from the youth section at SGS Essen to Bayer 04 in the summer of 2024. She quickly established herself as a regular starter in central midfield and has scored five goals in 44 competitive matches to date. She has played eleven games for the Germany U23 team (one goal) and was recently called up to the senior team for the first time.
"I’ve had a very good time at Leverkusen and I look back on it with great gratitude and many positive memories," says Piljic: "I was able to develop my footballing skills here and take important next steps in my career. I particularly appreciate the trust that both the team and the coaching staff have always placed in me. I always felt very comfortable, I will miss the girls in particular and will give my all for the team right to the end."

The final whistle of the current 2025/26 season marks the end of a unique partnership for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After more than three decades of collaboration and highly eventful times, the Bundesliga football club and the private brewery Bitburger are going their separate ways.
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Around four months after their bitter exit in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the Bayer 04 Women are once again away to Hamburger SV. On Monday night (18:00 CEST), the Werkself will not only be looking to pick up important points in the final phase of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga at the Volksparkstadion, but also to make amends for their defeat on penalties.
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Eleven Bayer 04 players are in action for their national teams in this final international break in 2025/26. Among others, Patrik Schick is competing with Czechia for a ticket to the World Cup in the summer. The blog on games involving the Werkself...
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A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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