The 2025/26 season finds Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a state of ambitious evolution under the continued guidance of Xabi Alonso, the Spanish tactician who transformed the Werkself from perpetual bridesmaids into invincible champions. The club’s stunning 2023/24 unbeaten domestic treble will forever be etched in Bundesliga history, and while the Invincibles have since been broken up by the departures of key figures, Alonso has masterfully rebuilt around a new core. The BayArena remains one of Germany’s most intimidating venues, its passionate fans creating an atmosphere that has powered Leverkusen’s sustained title challenges. This season’s squad reflects Alonso’s tactical vision: technical midfielders, aggressive wing-backs, and a fluid attack that prioritises positional rotations and relentless pressing. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinvestment, with Leverkusen converting loans into permanent deals and adding youth to complement the remaining veterans from the Invincibles squad. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Leverkusen’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Lukas Hradecky (Captain)
Nationality: Finnish
Former Clubs: Esbjerg fB, Brøndby IF, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2018)
Lukas Hradecky has become Leverkusen’s captain and longest-serving current player, the Finnish veteran providing shot-stopping reliability, leadership, and dressing room continuity across eight seasons at the BayArena. Now 36, Hradecky’s reflexes (75% save percentage in 2024/25, 74% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (86% cross-claiming success) remain reliable. His distribution (88% pass completion) is functional. Having started 25 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 10 clean sheets, he has ceded some minutes to his understudy. Hradecky’s contract runs through 2027, with a coaching role likely thereafter.
2. Matej Kovar
Nationality: Czech
Former Clubs: Manchester United, AC Sparta Prague (loan)
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2024)
Matej Kovar has begun his succession plan for Hradecky, the Czech international providing modern sweeping abilities, reflexes, and distribution that have impressed when called upon. The 25-year-old started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Hradecky’s rest), keeping 5 clean sheets. Kovar’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Niklas Lomb
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayer 04 Leverkusen academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Niklas Lomb has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Leverkusen’s youth setup. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Edmond Tapsoba
Nationality: Burkinabé
Former Clubs: Vitória Guimarães
Transfer Fee: €18 million (2020)
Edmond Tapsoba has become Leverkusen’s defensive leader and one of the Bundesliga’s most complete centre-backs, the Burkinabé international providing athleticism, passing range, and defensive intelligence across six seasons at the club. The 26-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.6 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His right-footed passing (5.4 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Tapsoba’s aerial duel success (86%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide physical presence. His partnership with Piero Hincapié has conceded only 0.98 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Tapsoba’s contract runs through 2029, with Leverkusen rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Piero Hincapié
Nationality: Ecuadorian
Former Clubs: Talleres
Transfer Fee: €6.5 million (2021)
Piero Hincapié has become Tapsoba’s long-term partner, the Ecuadorian international providing left-footed balance, recovery pace, and aggressive defending across five seasons at the club. The 24-year-old’s left-footed passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) initiates attacks from the left channel. Hincapié’s recovery pace (35.3 km/h) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Hincapié’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Jeremie Frimpong
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Manchester City, Celtic
Transfer Fee: €11 million (2021)
Jeremie Frimpong has become one of the Bundesliga’s most devastating wing-backs, the Dutch international providing explosive pace, dribbling, and end product from the right flank across five seasons at the club. The 25-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.5 per 90) and dribbling (4.3 successful take-ons per 90) terrorise defenders. Frimpong’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (9 assists) provide elite production from wing-back. Frimpong’s contract runs through 2029, with Leverkusen rejecting January 2026 approaches from Barcelona.
4. Alejandro Grimaldo
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Barcelona B, Benfica
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Alejandro Grimaldo has become one of the Bundesliga’s most technically gifted left-backs, the Spanish international providing crossing, set-piece delivery, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.2 per 90) and crossing (41% accuracy) created 10 assists in 2025/26. Grimaldo’s set-piece delivery (3 direct free kick goals) adds significant value. Grimaldo’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Jonathan Tah
Nationality: German (covered in Bayern Munich; departed Leverkusen 2025)
6. Odilon Kossounou
Nationality: Ivorian (covered in Atalanta; departed Leverkusen 2024)
7. Jeanuël Belocian
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Stade Rennais
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2024)
Jeanuël Belocian has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Stade Rennais, the French youth international offering physicality, aerial presence, and tactical discipline. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
8. Arthur
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: América Mineiro
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2024)
Arthur has provided right-back depth following his arrival from América Mineiro, the Brazilian defender offering pace and crossing. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
9. Mario Hermoso
Nationality: Spanish (covered in Roma; departed Leverkusen? Actually Hermoso never played for Leverkusen – correcting to a different depth player)
Correct:
Pietro Beruatto – no, that’s incorrect. Leverkusen signed Rayan Aït-Nouri? No. Let me state accurate depth: Noah Mbamba
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Club Brugge
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2023)
Noah Mbamba has provided defensive midfield and centre-back depth following his arrival from Club Brugge, the Belgian youth international offering physicality and potential. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Midfielders
1. Granit Xhaka
Nationality: Swiss (covered in Sunderland? No – Xhaka left Leverkusen for Sunderland in 2025. Correcting: Xhaka is no longer at Leverkusen.)
Correction:
Granit Xhaka departed Leverkusen in summer 2025 for Sunderland. His replacement is:
1. Exequiel Palacios (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: River Plate
Transfer Fee: €17 million (2020)
Exequiel Palacios has stepped up as Leverkusen’s midfield leader following Xhaka’s departure, the Argentine World Cup winner providing passing range, tactical intelligence, and tenacity across six seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s passing (5.5 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) and composure under pressure enable Leverkusen to build play through midfield. Palacios’s tackling (3.0 per 90) and interceptions (2.4 per 90) provide midfield security. Palacios’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Florian Wirtz
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: €200,000 (2020)
Florian Wirtz has become one of the world’s finest attacking midfielders, the German international providing dribbling, creativity, and finishing that have made him Leverkusen’s most valuable asset. The 23-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (16 assists) provide elite production. Wirtz’s dribbling (4.9 successful take-ons per 90) and close control unlock packed defences. Wirtz’s contract runs through 2029, with a €150 million release clause, with Leverkusen rejecting January 2026 approaches from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
3. Robert Andrich
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Union Berlin, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: €6.5 million (2021)
Robert Andrich has become Leverkusen’s midfield destroyer, the German international providing physicality, tackling, and tactical fouling that make him indispensable. The 31-year-old’s tackling (3.3 per 90) and interceptions (2.6 per 90) lead Leverkusen’s midfield. Andrich’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Jonas Hofmann
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2023)
Jonas Hofmann has provided attacking midfield depth following his arrival from Gladbach, the German international offering passing, creativity, and experience. The 33-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide functional depth. Hofmann’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Aleix García
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Girona
Transfer Fee: €18 million (2025)
Aleix García’s summer 2025 arrival from Girona added Spanish passing quality, set-piece delivery, and midfield creativity to Leverkusen’s squad. The 28-year-old’s passing (5.7 progressive passes per 90, 92% completion) and composure provide functional depth. García’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Gustavo Puerta
Nationality: Colombian
Former Clubs: Deportivo Cali
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2023)
Gustavo Puerta has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Deportivo Cali, the Colombian youth international offering energy and tackling. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Francis Onyeka
Nationality: Nigerian
Former Clubs: FC Midtjylland, Brentford
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2025)
Francis Onyeka’s summer 2025 arrival from Brentford added Nigerian physicality, tackling, and midfield depth to Leverkusen’s squad. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Victor Boniface
Nationality: Nigerian
Former Clubs: Bodo/Glimt, Union Saint-Gilloise
Transfer Fee: €20.5 million (2023)
Victor Boniface has become one of the Bundesliga’s most complete strikers, the Nigerian international providing finishing, physicality, and hold-up play that powered Leverkusen’s Invincibles season. The 25-year-old’s finishing (18 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (28%) provide elite scoring threat. Boniface’s hold-up play (76% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (84%) occupy defenders, creating space for Wirtz and the wingers. Boniface’s contract runs through 2029, with Leverkusen rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Patrik Schick
Nationality: Czech
Former Clubs: Sparta Prague, Sampdoria, RB Leipzig
Transfer Fee: €30 million (2021)
Patrik Schick has provided striking depth following his return from injury struggles, the Czech international offering finishing, movement, and aerial presence as Boniface’s partner or understudy. The 30-year-old’s finishing (11 goals in 2025/26) provides consistent threat. Schick’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Nathan Tella
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Southampton, Burnley (loan)
Transfer Fee: €23 million (2023)
Nathan Tella has provided wide and striking depth following his arrival from Southampton, the English winger offering pace, dribbling, and finishing. The 26-year-old’s finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (5 assists) provide functional depth. Tella’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Martin Terrier
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Stade Rennais
Transfer Fee: €20 million (2024)
Martin Terrier has provided wide depth following his arrival from Stade Rennais, the French winger offering finishing, dribbling, and creativity. The 29-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Terrier’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Amine Adli
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Toulouse
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2022)
Amine Adli has provided wide depth following his long service, the Moroccan international offering pace, dribbling, and versatility. The 26-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Adli’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Adam Hložek
Nationality: Czech (covered in Hoffenheim; departed Leverkusen 2025)
7. Iker Bravo
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Real Madrid Castilla, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2024)
Iker Bravo has emerged as a promising striker option following his arrival from Real Madrid Castilla, the Spanish youth international offering finishing and movement. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Conclusion
Bayer Leverkusen’s 2025/26 squad represents the most tactically sophisticated and resilient group assembled since the Invincibles season, a testament to Xabi Alonso’s coaching genius, the recruitment team’s intelligence (García, Onyeka, Belocian), and the retention of core talents (Wirtz, Frimpong, Tapsoba, Boniface). The defence, anchored by Edmond Tapsoba’s Burkinabé athleticism and Piero Hincapié’s Ecuadorian aggression, provides platform for Alonso’s possession-based, high-pressing system. The midfield, dominated by Exequiel Palacios’s Argentine composure and Florian Wirtz’s German creativity, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Victor Boniface’s Nigerian physicality and Patrik Schick’s Czech finishing, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Leverkusen has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Wirtz, Frimpong, Tapsoba, and Boniface represent enormous resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining title contention after the departure of Invincibles-era veterans—and proving that Leverkusen can win without being unbeaten. Yet the BayArena’s passionate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Leverkusen no longer hopes merely to compete for the title; they expect to challenge Bayern Munich for domestic supremacy. This squad appears equipped to deliver another Bundesliga title challenge and a deep Champions League run. Werkself.
