Leverkusen ‘proud' as they say farewell to Wirtz
dpa
Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen tried to look on the bright side and remember their achievements together after Florian Wirtz completed his move to Liverpool.
The playmaker made his debut for the Germans aged 17 and went on to win a league and cup double with the club in 2024.
An initial $134.7 million fee plus add-ons cushioned the blow for Leverkusen as the Germany international chose to test himself with the Premier League champions.
Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro said in a statement late on Friday: 'Florian Wirtz developed from a very promising talent into a world-class player here with us. We are very proud of the path he has taken at Bayer 04.
'Now we have to let him go. We will miss Florian but part of him will always be connected to Bayer 04. His sporting ability and his irrepressible commitment are an example and inspiration to us to show our full ambition to establish Bayer 04 at the top of German football and always strive to achieve the maximum success.'
Sporting director Simon Rolfes said the club had a special relationship with the attacking midfielder.
'Florian's departure is associated with lots of emotions for the whole club and also for me personally. He came to us as a 16-year-old and he built up close and warm relations with many people at the club over the years,' Rolfes remarked.
'Through his attitude, his passion and his unconditional desire to win he not only motivated and inspired his team-mates on the pitch but also the staff in the immediate vicinity of the team and throughout the club. Florian never played for himself.'
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