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Leverkusen Snags 16-Year-Old Eichhorn for €9 M

6/11/2026

Summary

Leverkusen Secures Eichhorn

Bayer Leverkusen will activate Kennet Eichhorn’s €8-9 million release clause to sign the 16-year-old from Hertha Berlin.
Eichhorn rejected offers from Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich before choosing Leverkusen.
The deal runs to 2031 and includes a signing-on fee of about $11.6 million (€10 million).
Simon Rolfes and Kim Falkenberg led the covert pursuit of the teenager.

Summary

Youngster Joins Bayer

He was sent off on 19 April 2026 for Hertha BSC against Eintracht Braunschweig.
He chose Bayer 04 because its progressive approach under manager Xabi Alonso, and quick promotion of youngsters offer a route to regular Bundesliga minutes.
He has been compared to Sergio Busquets and Toni Kroos, with English clubs eyeing a loan as Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) rules bar transfers of under-18s outside the EU.

Summary

Leverkusen Signs Eichhorn

Leverkusen signed 16-year-old Eichhorn for €8-9 million, citing its proven youth-progression model.
Eichhorn debuted in the 2. Bundesliga at 16 years and 14 days, the youngest ever.
Eichhorn then became the youngest scorer in DFB-Pokal history, breaking Jude Bellingham’s record.
Manchester City scouting chief Hugo Viana said losing Eichhorn was a rare setback.
The club then redirected its primary summer target to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

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Leverkusen Secures Eichhorn

Bayer Leverkusen will activate Kennet Eichhorn’s €8-9 million release clause to sign the 16-year-old from Hertha Berlin.
Eichhorn rejected offers from Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich before choosing Leverkusen.
The deal runs to 2031 and includes a signing-on fee of about $11.6 million (€10 million).
Simon Rolfes and Kim Falkenberg led the covert pursuit of the teenager.

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