The idea behind it: Parents donated a set sum for every goal scored by their son's team over the past few weeks. The coaches and other staff at the Performance Centre also joined in. An impressive €2,200 was raised – and it was presented to WDR at the weekend.
The players of the Leverkusen U8 team, together with their parents and representing all players and parents at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, were invited to the WDR studios in Düsseldorf on Sunday morning.
Following the presentation of the donation and a live interview with radio presenter Thomas Bug there was an opportunity to have a shot at the goal brought by the Bayer 04 U8s for a small donation – and that added an extra €200 to the total raised.
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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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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