Bayer Leverkusen sign Afonso Moreira from Olympique Lyon
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the signing of Portuguese winger Afonso Moreira from Olympique Lyon.
Moreira, 21, has penned a deal which will keep him at the BayArena until 30 June 2031.
“I am very proud and happy to be able to wear the Bayer Leverkusen shirt in the future,” said Moreira. “From our very first conversation, I felt that this club was an excellent match for my sporting ambitions.
“The club’s management presented me with a clear pathway in very respectful discussions. They took a close interest in my situation and my goals and showed me that they firmly believe in my potential. That confidence meant a great deal to me and was a major reason why I chose Leverkusen.”
Across 37 total appearances in all competitions last term, Moreira returned an impressive haul of eight goals and 11 assists for Lyon, whom he helped to a fourth-place league finish.
Capable of playing on either wing, he will add competition for places alongside Nathan Tella, Ernest Poku and Eliesse Ben Seghir. However, it remains to be seen how new head coach Carles Martínez Novell intends to utilise him within his system.
“Afonso Moreira is a fast, agile, and skilful attacker with a strong finishing ability and an excellent eye for his teammates. His pace and ability to combine with others fit our team perfectly,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes.
"In Afonso, we are gaining additional firepower and creativity in attack. We are looking forward to welcoming a highly exciting player with great potential for development in a Leverkusen shirt.”
A product of Sporting's renowned academy and a Portugal youth international, Moreira has scored seven goals in 32 appearances across the country's various youth teams. However, he is still awaiting his first call-up to the senior national side.
Moreira will join his new Leverkusen teammates for the start of pre-season training on 14 July. Die Werkself, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season, will begin their competitive campaign with a DFB Cup first-round tie against Wehen Wiesbaden between 21 and 24 August.
The 2026/27 Bundesliga season gets under way a week later, with the fixture list set to be released on 2 July.
