Florian
Wirtz

Young, hungry and good – Bayer 04 have long proved to be attractive for youth players with those qualities. Florian Wirtz, signed from the FC Köln U17 squad in the winter of 2019/20, demonstrated his huge potential in his first six months. Creative, carefree, mentally grounded – a technically strong dribbler and creator. The newcomer appears to be born to set records: His goal against Bayern Munich made him the youngest-ever Bundesliga goalscorer, the gold Fritz Walter medal with the U17s was a deserved bonus as was his first call-up to the Germany U21 team and the senior national team. Wirtz won his first title on the international stage as a U21 European Champion. "Florian is an exceptional lad who has everything to possibly make a decisive impression in German football in the coming years," said sporting managing director Rudi Völler back then. Wirtz, a first choice at Bayer 04, is also the youngest player to clock up 50 Bundesliga appearances.