Transfer ticker: Bayer signs Poku as Frimpong replacement

• Poku as a Frimpong substitute
• Blaswich in Leverkusen
• F95 loans Muslija
• Ticker: All transfers and moves of the NRW clubs

Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen has signed attacker Ernest Poku from Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. The Dutch U-21 international has signed a contract with the Werkself until 2030, the German runners-up announced. According to media reports, the 21-year-old will receive a transfer fee of approximately ten million euros plus bonuses.

Bayer Leverkusen has signed goalkeeper Janis Blaswich from RB Leipzig. The 34-year-old signed a contract with the Werkself until June 30, 2027, the club announced. Blaswich joins as a replacement for Lukas Hradecky, who has transferred to AS Monaco.

Vincent Vermeij is leaving Fortuna Düsseldorf and joining league rivals Dynamo Dresden with immediate effect. Both clubs have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer. The 31-year-old striker moved to Düsseldorf from SC Freiburg II in the summer of 2023. During his time at Fortuna, Vermeij made a total of 57 competitive appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists. During the 2023/24 season, the Dutchman was Fortuna's second-best goalscorer with 14 goals in competitive matches.

Bundesliga newcomers 1. FC Köln have signed Turkish international Cenk Özkacar for their defensive line. The 24-year-old joins on loan from Valencia CF.

Bayer Leverkusen's long-time regular goalkeeper and team captain Lukas Hradecky is moving to AS Monaco with immediate effect. The Finnish national team goalkeeper has signed a two-year contract with the French Ligue 1 club until June 2027. According to media reports, Bayer is expected to pay at least three million euros for the goalkeeper.

"Despite his contract still being valid for a year, we have granted Lukas Hradecky early release after very friendly discussions. It was his wish to be able to play as number one in the Champions League once again after a great and intensive time at Bayer 04," said Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes, according to a club statement.

Borussia Mönchengladbach's defensive leader Ko Itakura is moving to Ajax Amsterdam. Borussia will receive a double-digit million euro transfer fee. The 28-year-old has signed a contract with the Dutch Champions League participant until June 2029, Ajax announced. According to media reports, Borussia will receive a transfer fee of €10.5 million for Itakura, which could increase by another €1.5 million through bonuses.

"Ko is an outstanding footballer and an outstanding person who has left his mark during his time here at Borussia," said Gladbach's sporting director Roland Virkus, according to a club statement. "He is a quality player who has always put himself at the service of the cause. We therefore respect his wish to be able to demonstrate these qualities in the Champions League in the future."

Second-division football club Fortuna Düsseldorf is further strengthening its attack after a disappointing start. Fortuna has loaned Florent Muslija from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg until the end of the season and, according to the club's statement on Friday, has also secured a purchase option.

Muslija (27) brings experience from 125 second-division matches (29 goals, 14 assists), most of them for SC Paderborn. He can play at number 10 or on the attacking wing positions; he failed to establish himself in Freiburg in one and a half years.

Preußen Münster has responded to the cruciate ligament injury of new signing Antonio Tikvic by signing Jannis Heuer on loan from 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Both clubs confirmed the transfer of the 26-year-old defender. "Antonio's injury was an absolute shock for us, and we had to react to it quickly. We've been monitoring Jannis for some time and now had the opportunity to bring him to Münster," said Münster's sporting director Ole Kittner.

Striker Steffen Tigges is leaving 1. FC Köln after three seasons. The 27-year-old will play for second-division club SC Paderborn. Tigges made a total of 81 competitive appearances for the Billy Goats, scoring ten goals. According to the club, however, his chances of regular Bundesliga appearances have "significantly diminished." Paderborn, on the other hand, are looking forward to a "strong-running and physically very present striker in his prime."

Bundesliga newcomers Cologne have made another move in the transfer market, signing left-back Kristoffer Lund. The US international with Danish roots joins from Italian club Palermo FC and will initially join on loan. Whether there is an option to buy is unknown.

"Kristoffer brings exactly the profile we're looking for on the left wing. Despite his young age, he already brings valuable international experience. By signing him, we're specifically increasing the quality and competition at left-back – this is an important building block in our squad structure," says Thomas Kessler, sporting director of 1. FC Köln.

Bundesliga newcomer 1. FC Köln has strengthened its attacking lineup by signing Marius Bülter from league rivals TSG Hoffenheim. As Cologne announced on Thursday, the 32-year-old left winger signed a contract until 2027 (with an option for a further season). According to media reports, the transfer fee, including bonuses, is said to be between one million and 1.5 million euros. "Marius not only brings versatility and Bundesliga experience, but has also made it very clear in discussions with us that he is passionate about the job at 1. FC Köln," said Cologne's sporting director Thomas Kessler.

After weeks of transfer wrangling, midfielder Granit Xhaka is finally leaving runners-up Bayer Leverkusen. The 32-year-old, who has played for the Werkself since summer 2023, is moving to AFC Sunderland. The newly promoted English Premier League club accepted the Bundesliga club's transfer terms, which subsequently granted the Swiss player, whose contract runs until 2028, his early release, the club announced.

Second-division soccer club 1. FC Magdeburg has signed attacker Noah Pesch from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both clubs announced this on Tuesday. The 20-year-old is Magdeburg's seventh new signing and arrives on loan from the Lower Rhine region. "The 2. Bundesliga is the perfect next step in his development," said Borussia's sporting director Roland Virkus. Magdeburg is also pleased with the transfer. "He brings dynamism and goal threat – two qualities that will benefit our game. We are convinced that he will help us progress," said Magdeburg's sporting director Otmar Schork.

Bayer Leverkusen has loaned new signing Abdoulaye Faye to French second-division champions FC Lorient for a year. The 20-year-old central defender is expected to gain match practice in Ligue 1, according to the Bundesliga club. The Werkself signed the Senegalese from Swedish first-division club BK Häcken this summer and signed him to a long-term contract until 2030. "Abdoulaye Faye has great potential. He has the quality to become an important part of our squad in the future," said Bayer's sporting director Simon Rolfes, according to a club statement. "We see the loan to Lorient as the best option to ensure he gets as much playing time as possible at a high level."

A few days before the start of the 2. Bundesliga season, Preußen Münster has signed central defender Antonio Tikvic, likely making a new record transfer. The 21-year-old defender joins from English second division club Watford, the club announced. According to media reports, the transfer fee is estimated to be up to €700,000. Tikvic will wear the number 4 shirt at the club.

The Hamburg native with Croatian roots has played a minor role at Watford FC recently. He was loaned to Grazer AK in the second half of last season. The 1.95-meter-tall defender was a regular in 15 matches in the Austrian Bundesliga.

A few days before the start of the new second division season, FC Schalke 04 signed central defender Hasan Kurucay. The 27-year-old has signed a contract with the Royal Blues until June 30, 2027, as the second division club announced. At Schalke, he will wear the number 4 shirt.

"With Hasan, we are signing a strong, tackling central defender with a clear body language. As a right-footer, he also feels very comfortable in the left center-back position and is familiar with the 2. Bundesliga. With this overall package, he fits in with us," said Youri Mulder, Director of Professional Football, according to the club's statement.

SC Paderborn has loaned John Posselt to third-division newcomers TSV Havelse until the end of the 2025/2026 season. The 21-year-old attacking talent, whom Paderborn signed from Lübeck this summer, will gain match practice and take the next step.

Borussia Dortmund is loaning goalkeeper Diant Ramaj to league rivals 1. FC Heidenheim for one year. As BVB announced on Monday, the deal does not include an option to buy. Dortmund signed the 23-year-old from Ajax Amsterdam in February and immediately transferred him to FC Copenhagen. "After his successful loan in Copenhagen, we are delighted that he can now prove himself in the Bundesliga with 1. FC Heidenheim," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl. In the second half of last season, Ramaj made 19 appearances for Copenhagen, winning the Danish championship and the Danish cup. Gregor Kobel is BVB's first-choice goalkeeper.

After a test of patience, Fortuna Düsseldorf has signed its dream attacking player. The 28-year-old Swiss Cedric Itten joins from Young Boys Bern and is set to replace Dawid Kownacki, who now plays for league rivals Hertha BSC. Itten, Fortuna's ninth summer signing, reportedly cost just over one million euros. He scored 48 goals and provided 20 assists in 128 competitive matches for Young Boys.

Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen has signed Farid Alfa-Ruprecht. The 19-year-old German youth international transfer from Manchester City's U21 team has signed a contract with Leverkusen until June 2030, Bayer announced on Sunday. According to media reports, a transfer fee of just over one million euros is due for the winger.

Leverkusen has signed their next top talent, Malian striker Ndjicoura Bomba. The 17-year-old will join the Rhineland from his hometown club CS Bamako as soon as he reaches adulthood in March.

Borussia Mönchengladbach has signed striker Shuto Machino from Bundesliga relegated side Holstein Kiel. As Borussia announced on Saturday, the 25-year-old signed a contract with the Bundesliga club until June 30, 2029.

Midfielder Luca Herrmann is leaving SC Paderborn and joining Dynamo Dresden. The 26-year-old returns to the Saxon club after a year. The two clubs have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer. The former German youth international made 20 appearances in the last season.

Borussia Dortmund is further thinning its expanded squad. Winger Guillermo Bueno (22) is leaving BVB and joining Spanish first division relegated side Real Valladolid, as his new club announced on X. Last season, the Spaniard was on loan to second division club Darmstadt 98, otherwise playing primarily for BVB's reserve team. Bueno moved to the Ruhr region from Deportivo Fabril in Spain in 2021. However, he never made a professional appearance for Dortmund.

Following the departure of Alassane Plea and the extended absence of Tim Kleindienst, Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach appears to have found a first solution to its personnel shortages in attack: Haris Tabakovic. The club announced on Friday that the 31-year-old will be loaned from TSG Hoffenheim for a season. The center forward scored just three goals in 22 appearances for TSG last season, usually as a substitute. He made three appearances in the cup, scoring once.

Bundesliga newcomer 1. FC Köln has signed right-back Sebastian Sebulonsen from Bröndby IF in Denmark. The 25-year-old Norwegian has signed a contract with Cologne until the summer of 2028, FC announced on Friday. According to unconfirmed media reports, the transfer fee is said to be around three million euros. Sebulonsen is not yet a senior international for his country.

Attacker Koen Kostons is leaving SC Paderborn and returning to his native Netherlands. The 25-year-old is joining Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle. The two clubs have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer. Kostons moved to Paderborn in January 2024. In the second half of the last second division season, the attacker was loaned to Belgian second division side KV Kortrijk.

Women's Bundesliga club SGS Essen has signed Shari van Belle. The 25-year-old midfielder joins from Belgian first division club Standard Liège.

After seven years, Alassane Plea is leaving Borussia Mönchengladbach and joining PSV Eindhoven. A transfer fee of four million euros is being discussed for the 32-year-old, who was under contract with Gladbach until 2026. Plea joined from Nice in 2018 for 23 million euros, making him the most expensive signing in Borussia's history.

Third-division club SC Verl has loaned striker Chilohem Onuoha from 1. FC Köln again. The 20-year-old attacker already played for the East Westphalian club on loan last season.

Goalkeeper Matej Kovar (25) is leaving German runner-up Bayer Leverkusen and joining PSV Eindhoven on loan. If "certain criteria are met," according to a statement from the Rhineland-based club, the Dutch champions are obligated to purchase the Czech player. Kovar's contract with Leverkusen runs until June 30, 2027.

Former U21 European champion Paul Jaeckel (26) is leaving Union Berlin and will play for second-division club Preußen Münster. The central defender hopes the move will allow him to establish himself as a regular starter. In Münster, he will replace Lukas Frenkert in central defense, who was transferred to Braunschweig in June. Jackel played there on loan last season.

Second-division football club SC Paderborn has signed former youth international Stefano Marino. The 21-year-old comes from Hannover 96's U23 team and trained at Karlsruher SC. Center forward Marino is already participating in the training camp in Austria.

Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln has brought back Polish international Weronika Zawistowska from double-winner Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old attacker, who previously played for FC Köln from 2021 to 2023, signed a contract until June 30, 2027. Zawistowska most recently played for Poland at the European Championship in Switzerland.

Midfielder Annalena Rieke is leaving SGS Essen and joining Italian club AS Roma. According to the club, the 26-year-old is fulfilling a lifelong dream. "I'm very grateful that AS Roma saw their request as a unique opportunity for me and made this step possible," Rieke said.

VfL Bochum and Agon Elezi have mutually agreed to terminate his contract. The 24-year-old North Macedonian joined Bochum in January 2024 and has only appeared in one DFB-Pokal match since then.

Viktoria Köln has strengthened its attacking squad with the signing of Leander Popp. The 20-year-old joins on a one-year loan from SpVgg Greuther Fürth.

Before starting their training camp in Brazil, Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen has signed Malik Tillman from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The 23-year-old US international has signed a contract until 2030.

Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen has signed another young striker. The Rhineland-based club is strengthening its attacking lineup with the signing of 18-year-old Christian Kofane from Spanish second-division club Albacete Balompié. The club announced that the Cameroonian has signed a contract until June 30, 2029.

Bayer's sporting director Simon Rolfes describes Kofane as an "extremely powerful and fast striker." "He will add even more variety to our game," Rolfes said. Kofane scored eight goals in 20 matches for the Spanish club after the winter break.

Second division club Arminia Bielefeld is losing one of its promotion heroes. Louis Oppie is leaving Arminia and joining Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli. The club announced this on Friday. The transfer fee for the 23-year-old was kept confidential.

The undisputed regular in Bielefeld made 71 third-division appearances for Arminia over two years, scoring seven goals. He contributed two goals and one assist to Bielefeld's fairytale run to the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart (2-4 loss).

Third-division club Viktoria Köln has signed a new defender. Cologne-born Verthomy Bobby joins Höhenberg from Belgian first-division club Standard Liège. Bobby impressed the club as a guest player in friendlies against SC Wiedenbrück and Bonner SC.

"We are very pleased that Verthomy has chosen us. He has made a strong impression in training – he also fits in very well with our team on a personal level. Therefore, we wish him, and of course us, that he takes the next step, continues to develop with us, and helps us further in our sporting career," said Cologne's sporting director Stephan Küsters.

Second-division football club Fortuna Düsseldorf continues to aggressively rebuild its squad for the upcoming season. Last season's sixth-place finisher strengthens its attack with Christian Rasmussen from Ajax Amsterdam, their eighth signing. The Danish U21 international has been signed permanently; as usual, the club has not disclosed the length of his contract.

Rasmussen (22) made a total of 22 appearances for Ajax last season in the league, Europa League, and cup. Previously, the left-footer, who can play on the right wing or at number 10, was on loan to Danish first division club FC Nordsjælland for a year.

1. FC Köln has loaned Jaka Cuber Potocnik to third-division club Rot-Weiss Essen for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old Slovenian will "take the next steps in his development" at RWE, the Cologne club announced. "It's crucial for Jaka that he gains match practice week after week. He has now outgrown our U21 team, while his chances of playing time in the Bundesliga are still limited," explained Lukas Berg, Cologne's technical director.

Fortuna Düsseldorf has completed its goalkeeping trio with Marcel Lotka from Borussia Dortmund. The 24-year-old will wear the number one jersey for the Rhinelanders; the club has not disclosed the length of his contract.

Striker Damion Downs has rejected a contract extension offer from newly promoted Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln and is moving to Southampton in the English second division. The club announced this on Wednesday. Sporting director Thomas Kessler spoke of a favorable financial framework for the transfer. A transfer fee of eight million euros, plus bonuses that could add up to over two million euros, is rumored.

Arminia Bielefeld has strengthened its squad with Florian Micheler from TSG Hoffenheim. The 20-year-old midfielder will join the squad on a one-year loan and will begin training this Wednesday. Both clubs have agreed not to disclose the loan details.

"Florian is a very talented, versatile central midfielder who, despite his young age, possesses strategic skills and, with his game intelligence and ball control, is a perfect fit for us. He is ready to take the next step in his development. We are convinced that he has the potential to assert himself in the 2. Bundesliga and are delighted that he has chosen us," said Sporting Director Michael Mutzel, describing the new signing.

Our sources:

• News agencies SID and dpa
• Press releases from the clubs