The organisers of the Bayer 04 Football School chose a very special location for the Q&A session with the successful Werkself duo: the dugouts in the BayArena. There, Victor Boniface and Odilon Kossounou answered questions such as who has been their most challenging opponent to date: Boniface chose his former Europa League opponent and current teammate Jonathan Tah, Kossounou the world-class centre-forward Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
Another secret that has now been revealed: the two African internationals' favourite animals are dogs (Boniface) and lions (Kossounou). And when asked about their best friends in the team, both first counted off numerous names, only to then realise that every teammate, without exception, has become a good friend. Boniface and Kossounou rounded things off with some important tips on how to make the step into professional football - Boniface: "Always believe in yourself and work on your strengths and weaknesses every day."
And of course, the children at the Football School also took a look ahead to the EURO 2024 final on Sunday. "Who do you fancy?" The clear answer from the Leverkusen duo: Spain - and therefore also teammate Alejandro Grimaldo.
In the morning, Boniface and Kossounou worked alongside Jonas Hofmann and U19 player Francis Onyeka on the training pitch at the BayArena. After a few rounds of football tennis inside the stadium, they took to the pitch under the guidance of assistant coach Sebastian Parrilla and athletics coach Markus Müller.
There, the quartet completed athletics drills and exercises with the ball at their feet, putting them in the right frame of mind for the start of pre-season on Sunday (performance diagnostics) and Monday (training). They then rounded things off with a "welcome back" selfie.
The majority of the Werkself squad will return for performance diagnostics on Sunday, 14 July, with the first team training session scheduled for the following day. The session in front of the BayArena gates is scheduled to start at 11:00 CEST and is accessible to Bayer 04 fans. Click HERE for the dates of the German double winners' other open training sessions that have already been finalised.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.
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Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who moved to Arsenal FC on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, will join the English champions permanently on 1 July 2026.
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The date and kick-off time for Bayer 04’s match in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal have been confirmed. The Werkself face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday afternoon, 22 August, at 13:00 CEST. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this today, Wednesday. The Pokal tie against the Hessen state cup winners will be played at the BRITA Arena. Ticket information to follow at a later date.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro will lead a club delegation to Brazil from July 2-6 for a program of partner engagement, community activities and football development initiatives across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract of promising striker Amy Wrigge on a long-term basis. The 18-year-old Germany U19 international, currently recovering from a torn cruciate in her left knee, has signed a new contract to 30 June 2029.
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