Bayer Leverkusen head stateside for US trophy tour
A delegation from Bayer Leverkusen has gone stateside to present employees and fans with their Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Supercup silverware.
Leverkusen were the story of European football last season as they went unbeaten domestically, the first time any German side has done so. That resulted in their first-ever Bundesliga title, as well as a second DFB Cup and maiden Supercup - all under the guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Taking their bounty to the US in September, CEO Fernando Carro and honorary captain Jens Nowotny first travelled to the Bayer pharmaceutical company’s American offices in New Jersey to give employees some time with the trophies and a chance for souvenir photos. The club also met the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, before hitting Manhattan for a ‘Champions Night’ with special guests.
Watch: All about Bayer Leverkusen
After a visit to to the Bundesliga offices in Union Square in New York, the tour will wrap up on 14 September with a watch party in the Big Apple as Die Werkself continue their title defence away at Hoffenheim. Fans will be able to join and watch the Matchday 3 clash at the Radegast Hall & Biergarten and then, later in the day, the trophies will be on display in Little Italy, Manhattan.
Discussing the tour, CEO Carro said: “Last season’s historic successes were the result of our team’s exceptional performances on the field. But the basis for this was the work of all employees in the club. This special teamwork, in which everyone in and around the club played a key role, made our successes possible in the first place.
“We also want to share what we have achieved with the Bayer 04 family and our Bayer colleagues around the world. At the same time, we see ourselves as ambassadors for the Bundesliga on this tour to North America. We want to help increase visibility and awareness in one of the most important foreign markets for our domestic league.”
Dave Tomasi, President of Bayer North America, added: “It is an honour to welcome Bayer 04 Leverkusen here in New York City as the first stop on the Trophy Tour in America. The team’s successes last season were inspiring. Their commitment and determination on the field are in line with Bayer’s commitment to making topics such as health, nutrition and exercise accessible to everyone around the world. These shared values make us all champions.”
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