Bayer Leverkusen’s Tribute as Wirtz Heads to Anfield | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Wirtz Coup Met With Poignant Bayer Farewell

Emotional departure after historic time

Liverpool’s capture of Florian Wirtz has naturally stirred excitement among supporters, but in the heart of Germany, his departure has been met with something else entirely — profound gratitude and sorrow. At Bayer Leverkusen, where Wirtz grew from precocious teenager to one of the game’s most intelligent creators, the mood is one of poignant farewell.

The Premier League champions secured the 22-year-old in a deal worth up to £116 million, a potential British record should all add-ons be met. Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, deserves credit for concluding a transfer pursued with unrelenting purpose.

Leverkusen, though, did not let Wirtz’s exit pass quietly. Instead, they orchestrated a digital tribute that spoke to the emotional depth of the player’s bond with the club.

Heartfelt tributes from Bayer Leverkusen

In a message shared across social media, Leverkusen thanked Wirtz for “five-and-a-half magical years” and wished him “nothing but the best”. A touching video followed, captioned “Dear Flo, you will always be family”, punctuated by black and red hearts — unmistakably Leverkusen’s colours.

The messages kept coming. One showed Wirtz alongside Jeremie Frimpong, also now bound for Liverpool, with the caption: “Inseparable. Make sure they keep laughing together, LFC”. Another depicted Wirtz holding the DFB-Pokal trophy, a reminder of the club’s extraordinary 2023-24 season, simply calling him a “legend”.

Wirtz leaves a legacy at the BayArena

It’s not difficult to see why Wirtz’s departure hits so hard. In 2023-24, the attacking midfielder was central to a historic campaign that saw Bayer Leverkusen lift both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. Not only did they win their first-ever top-flight title, they did so without losing a domestic match. Wirtz’s influence was immense: 18 goals, 19 assists and countless moments of invention that defined their fluid, aggressive style.

Across 197 appearances, Wirtz produced 57 goals and 65 assists, having joined the club aged just 16. His development was startling, his talent unmistakable.

Wirtz windfall may benefit both clubs

The £116 million received from Liverpool provides Bayer with the means to rebuild, and reports suggest part of that sum may be used to pursue Jarell Quansah, a player who could benefit from a starring role in the Bundesliga. It’s a reminder that football’s transfer ecosystem is circular, not linear.

For Liverpool, the arrival of Wirtz marks another bold statement of ambition. For Leverkusen, the farewell might sting, but they have said goodbye with uncommon grace — a reminder that football, at its best, is about connection as much as competition.