…his first impressions at Bayer 04: Up to now it has all been very positive. There are lots of new faces and names that I'll have to get used to – sometimes I have to ask again. (He laughs) Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo are two players I know from the past. I often used to play against Mitch in the youth teams because we were both born in 1994. Also I played alongside him in the Germany youth team. And I know Joel from last season at Union.
…the background to his shirt number: As a football player you always think about which player had the number before you. Lars Bender (twelve years at Bayer 04 and now honorary captain, ed.) had an incredible career at this club. But I'm not putting myself under any massive pressure because of that. The number just fits in with my position in central midfield. I'll try to fill the role as a number eight in my way and hope that I'm as successful as possible.
…the qualities he's brought with him: I believe I can help the team with my mentality – that's what I'm clearly striving for. My aim is to get everybody on board and to be there for my teammates both on and off the pitch.
…his career to date: I always had the target of playing in the Bundesliga. Fortunately I've managed to achieve that by a circuitous route – which did me good in terms of my development. When I heard that Bayer 04 were interested I was really up for it. I've always seen Leverkusen as a likeable club. And Bayer 04 stand for successful attacking football.
…his personal targets with the Werkself: Leverkusen are among the top clubs in the Bundesliga. The target for Bayer 04 must always be to aim for the Champions League spots. And we'll do that this season too. For me, it kicks off with a great game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. 18.30, floodlights – I'm really looking forward to it!
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
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