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Bayer 04 Leverkusen Players
This is a list of notable footballers who have played for Bayer Leverkusen. Generally, this means players that have played a significant amount of first-class matches for the club. Other players who have played an important role for the club can be included, but the reason why they have been included should be added in the 'Notes' column. For a list of all Bayer Leverkusen players, major or minor, with a Wikipedia article, see Bayer Leverkusen players, and for the current squad see the main Bayer Leverkusen article. Players are listed according to the date of their first team debut. Appearances and goals are for first-team competitive league matches only; wartime matches are excluded. Substitute appearances included. Table World Cup players The following players have been selected by their country for the FIFA World Cup finals, while playing for Bayer Leverkusen. * Cha Bum-kun ( 1986) * Jorginho (1990) * Ioan Lupescu (1994) * Paulo Sérgio (1994) * Emerson ( 1998) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, also known as Bayer 04 Leverkusen (), Bayer Leverkusen, or simply Leverkusen, is a professional football club based in Leverkusen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The club competes in the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football, and plays its home matches at the BayArena. The club was founded in 1904 by employees of the German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG, whose headquarters are in Leverkusen and from which the club draws its name. It was formerly the best-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball, field handball and other sports including the RTHC Bayer Leverkusen (rowing, tennis and hockey). In 1999, the football department was separated from the sports club and is now a separate entity formally called Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH. Bayer were first promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979, and have remained in the top division ever since. The cl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Christian Wörns
Christian Wörns (born 10 May 1972) is a German former professional footballer who played as a defender. Wörns is widely considered one of the finest German defenders of his generation. He started his career with Waldhof Mannheim but played the majority of his career with Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. He also had a short stint with Paris Saint-Germain. Club career Wörns was born in Mannheim. He made his professional debut in the Bundesliga at the young age of 17 years, 3 months and 30 days for Waldhof Mannheim and at the time, was the fourth youngest debutant ever. He played 18 games in his first season and 34 the next in the 2. Bundesliga. The next year, he transferred to Bayer Leverkusen. Wörns quickly established himself as a defensive stalwart and anchored the strong Leverkusen defense for nearly a decade, together with sweeper Jens Nowotny and Markus Happe. In 1998, he moved abroad to Paris Saint-Germain in France. He failed to settle in and after one season ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jens Nowotny
Jens Daniel Nowotny (born 11 January 1974) is a German former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played in nearly 300 official games with Bayer Leverkusen in one full decade, helping them reach the 2002 Champions League final. Internationally, Nowotny appeared for Germany in one World Cup and two European Championships, gaining 48 caps. Club career Karlsruher SC After playing youth football for two clubs, Nowotny finished his formation with Karlsruher SC. He made his first team – and Bundesliga – on 2 May 1992, playing the entire 1–0 away win against Hamburger SV, and finished the season in the starting eleven, as the club collected three wins in four matches (three goals conceded) and finished in eighth position. Still not in his 20s, Nowotny became a defensive mainstay for Karlsruhe. On 10 April 1993, he scored a brace for the club in only ten minutes, in a 2–2 draw at VfL Bochum, and went on to collect nearly 150 official appearances during his s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jurica Vranješ
Jurica Vranješ (; born 31 January 1980) is a Croatian former professional footballer. He was described as versatile midfielder, playing both as a defensive and a central midfielder, noted for his tackling and passing abilities. Club career Vranješ was born in Osijek, Croatia. He started playing in NK Osijek where he played between 1997 and 1999. Some websites say Vranješ started his career at FK Vojvodina, but Vranješ himself explained how those websites confused their statistics with another player, Mićo Vranješ, playing back then in Vojvodina. After playing with Osijek in the Prva HNL, he then moved to Bayer Leverkusen where he played three seasons until moving to VfB Stuttgart in 2003 and finally to Werder Bremen in 2005. In August 2009 Werder Bremen announced that he could leave the club. On 29 January 2010, he left Werder Bremen and was loaned to Gençlerbirliği for the rest of the season. In September 2011, Vranješ joined Aris Saloniki He made his debut in the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Boris Živković
Boris Živković (; born 15 November 1975) is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a full-back and centre-back. At one point of his career he even played as defensive midfielder. Živković began his professional career with Marsonia and Hrvatski Dragovoljac in his native country before spending six seasons with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Following shorter stints at Portsmouth, VfB Stuttgart, and 1. FC Köln, he returned to Croatia to play for Hajduk Split. At international level, Živković represented the Croatia national team making 39 appearances, 18 of which as the captain of the team. Club career Early career Živković started his career at Sarajevo as a youth player, before being signed by Marsonia (from Slavonski Brod). He gained a good reputation at Marsonia, first appearing in the 1994–95 season, during which he made 13 appearances. The next season, he played a further 31 games before transferring to Hrvatski Dragovoljac (from Sig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Diego Placente
Diego Rodolfo Placente (born 24 April 1977) is a former Argentine footballer who played as a left-back. Club career Born in Buenos Aires, Placente started playing professionally in 1996 with Argentinos Juniors, before moving to Argentine giant River Plate in 1997. He transferred to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2001, where he played until 2005 when his contract expired. Subsequently, he turned down an offer from English club Everton FC to join Celta de Vigo. While at Leverkusen he played in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. In 2008, he returned to Argentina to play for San Lorenzo de Almagro. In the 2008 summer transfer window, he transferred to the French side of Bordeaux, and penned a two-year contract. After finishing that contract, he returned to San Lorenzo on a free transfer. International career He played his first match with the Argentina national football team in 2001, and was capped 22 times. Career statistics International Personal life Placente is marri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hans-Jörg Butt
Hans-Jörg Butt (; born 28 May 1974) is a German former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Known for taking penalty kicks, and for often running into the opposing penalty box in an attempt to find a winner whenever his team were trailing, he scored 26 goals in the Bundesliga. He played for Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in his country, having arrived at Munich already aged 34. Butt represented Germany in two World Cups and Euro 2000. Personal life Butt was born in Oldenburg and raised in nearby Großenkneten, where his father Jochen ran a company manufacturing loading ramps and industrial doors. As a youngster, he played for the junior teams of his local football club, TSV Großenkneten, as a striker. Butt is married to Katja. As of November 2010, the couple had three children – a daughter and two sons. Club career Hamburg/Leverkusen Butt started his professional career with modest Oldenburg, achieving promotion to the second division in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack (; born 26 September 1976) is a German former professional footballer. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of the German national team. Ballack wore the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for, except 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Ballack was known for his passing range, powerful shot, physical strength and commanding presence in midfield. Ballack began his career as a youth at enterprise sports community BSG Motor "Fritz Heckert" Karl-Marx-Stadt in 1983. He then joined the youth department of football club FC Karl-Marx-Stadt. Ballack made his debut for Germany's under-21 side on 26 March 1996. Although the team were relegated in his first season, his performances in the Regionalliga the following season led to a transfer to 1. FC Kaisersl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oliver Neuville
Oliver Patric Neuville (, born 1 May 1973) is a German former footballer who played as a striker. During an 18-year professional career he played mainly for Bayer Leverkusen (five seasons) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (six), amassing Bundesliga totals of 334 games and 91 goals. Neuville appeared nearly 70 times for the Germany national team during one full decade, representing Germany in two World Cups and at Euro 2008. Club career Born in Locarno, Switzerland, to a German father from Aachen and Swiss mother of Italian descent, Neuville started his professional career with Servette FC. In only his second season in the Swiss Super League, he scored a career-best 16 goals to help the club win the national championship after a nine-year wait. In 1996–97, Neuville played in Spain with CD Tenerife, where he was part of a well-balanced attacking line that also featured Juanele (eight goals), Meho Kodro (six), Antonio Pinilla (seven) and Aurelio Vidmar (one), netting five goals ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carsten Ramelow
Carsten Ramelow (; born 20 March 1974) is a German former professional footballer who played as either a central defender or a defensive midfielder. Known for his tough tackling and defensive positioning, he played professionally for Hertha BSC and Bayer Leverkusen, for 17 years. The recipient of nearly 50 caps with Germany, he represented the nation at one World Cup and one European Championship. Club career Born in Berlin, Ramelow grew as a player at local Hertha BSC, playing five second division matches in his first two years combined, and five seasons in total: his debut came on 25 April 1992 (aged 18), in a 0–5 home loss against Bayer Uerdingen. In 1992–93, he helped the reserve squad reach the domestic cup final, where they lost to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. In January 1996, Ramelow moved to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, being a major part of the squads that never finished lower than fourth until the 2003–04 season (except for 2002–03, where they would ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frankie Hejduk
Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk (born August 5, 1974) is an American former soccer player who played as a wingback and midfielder. At the club level he represented the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Bayer Leverkusen, St. Gallen, Columbus Crew, and the LA Galaxy. A full international between 1996 and 2009, he won 85 caps for the United States national team and represented his nation at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He also represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. Hejduk serves as "Brand Ambassador" in the Crew front office. Early life Hejduk attended San Dieguito High School where he played on the boys' soccer team. He was also a member of the powerhouse La Jolla Nomads Soccer Club which won the California state youth championship in 1989, 1990 and 1991. After high school, Hejduk attended UCLA. He spent three seasons, 1992 to 1994, as a defender on the UCLA Bruins soccer team. While a defender, he was the second leading scorer in 1994 with six goals. He was al ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yıldıray Baştürk
Yıldıray Baştürk (, born 24 December 1978) is a retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Born in Germany, he was capped 49 times for the Turkey national football team, representing the team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup where it finished in third place. In the same year he also appeared for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. Baştürk also played for Wattenscheid 09, VfL Bochum, Hertha BSC, VfB Stuttgart and English club Blackburn Rovers. Club career Early years, Bochum and Bayer The son of a miner, Baştürk began his football career at Sportfreunde Wanne-Eickel. As a teenager Baştürk played for SG Wattenscheid 09, and his breakthrough in the Bundesliga came with city rivals VfL Bochum, for whom he even played in the UEFA Cup. After the 2001 transfer to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Baştürk was part of a team that finished second in the league, the DFB-Pokal and the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final in the 2001–02 season. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
