Florian Wirtz, the highly talented German midfielder, has officially bid farewell to Bayer Leverkusen after five and a half years at the club, following his record-breaking transfer to Liverpool on June 20, 2025. The deal, reported to be worth an initial £100 million plus £16 million in potential add-ons, sets a new British record fee for a transfer. Wirtz, aged 22, joined Liverpool after a distinguished spell at Leverkusen where he emerged as one of the Bundesliga's brightest talents since January 2020.
In a heartfelt video message posted on Instagram from the BayArena, Wirtz reflected emotionally on his journey with Leverkusen, expressing gratitude to the fans and the club. Having cleared out his belongings, he has since joined Liverpool's AXA Training Centre as part of his pre-season preparations. His move attracted keen interest from major clubs including Bayern Munich and top European teams, but ultimately the Reds secured his signature.
The farewell has also been marked by an emotional letter from Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes, who praised Wirtz as not just one of the world’s best players but a special person and leader. Rolfes highlighted Wirtz’s remarkable attitude, leadership, and determination, especially following his comeback from a serious cruciate ligament injury in March 2022. He described Wirtz as calm, focused, and admired even by experienced teammates, applauding his resilience and development during his time with the club.
Wirtz, who is also seen as a key figure for Germany’s national team, especially ahead of Euro 2024, leaves Leverkusen with a legacy of outstanding performances and professionalism. His contract had extended until 2027, but his move signals the start of a new chapter at Liverpool, where he is expected to become a central figure in their ambitions moving forward.
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