Bayer Leverkusen Chairman and Director Pay Tribute as Florian Wirtz Joins Liverpool in Record Transfer

Bayer Leverkusen chairman Fernando Carro has joined managing director Simon Rolfes in paying tribute to Florian Wirtz following the midfielder’s high-profile transfer to Liverpool.

The club’s leadership expressed deep admiration for Wirtz’s contributions both on and off the pitch as he brings an end to a remarkable chapter in Leverkusen’s history.

Simon Rolfes, in a heartfelt letter, reflected on Wirtz’s time at the club:

“I don’t want to write this. I would have loved for you to stay at Bayer 04 Leverkusen for your entire career… But you have chosen to open a new chapter, and I fully respect your decision.”

He highlighted Wirtz’s relentless mentality and maturity, saying, “your will to win, your untiring hunger to score even when the match was sealed,” while acknowledging the quiet leadership that earned him admiration from more senior teammates.

Rolfes added, “I wish you all the best at Liverpool Football Club… Thank you, Flo, for your time, your character, and thank you to your family for entrusting us. You'll always remain part of the Bayer 04 family.”

On June 20, 2025, Liverpool confirmed Wirtz’s signing in a record-breaking deal worth an initial £100 million, potentially rising to £116 million with add-ons. The fee makes Wirtz Liverpool’s most expensive signing ever, surpassing the previous £85 million paid for Darwin Núñez.

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract running until the summer of 2030. Reports suggest he will earn around £340,000 per week, placing him among the highest earners at the club.

Wirtz joined Bayer Leverkusen from 1. FC Köln in January 2020, making his senior debut just months later. He went on to make 197 appearances for the club, scoring 57 goals and providing 65 assists. He played a central role in Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2023–24 and helped them secure the DFB-Pokal title as well.

In the 2024–25 season, Wirtz added 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dynamic attacking midfielders in Europe.

Speaking after his move, Wirtz said, “I would like to win everything every year… First of all, we have to do our work… my goal is for sure to win [the Premier League] again and also to go further in the Champions League.” He also described Liverpool as “the right place for me,” expressing excitement to work under new head coach Arne Slot.

Wirtz is Liverpool’s second major signing from Leverkusen this summer, following Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5 million move. The Reds have also signed left-back Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in what is shaping up to be a busy transfer window.