
Argentina World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios extends Bayer Leverkusen contract
Exequiel Palacios, who lifted the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, has pledged his future to Bayer Leverkusen by extending his contract until 2030.
Palacios joined Leverkusen in January 2020 from Argentinian giants River Plate and has since made 110 Bundesliga appearances, including 24 in the 2023/24 season when the club celebrated a famous unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB Cup double under Xabi Alonso.
Having extended his deal, which was originally set to run to 2028, to June 2030, the club's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said: "Pala's value to us has increased from season to season. His vast international experience as well as his outstanding strategic and individual qualities as a number six make him a key element in the construction of another highly ambitious team."
Palacios said: "Leverkusen have gone through a breathtaking development since I arrived in Germany five years ago. It's a great feeling to have been an important part of this process. Now we want to continue this story with a team that has everything it takes to continue playing a major part in national and European competitions. I'm really looking forward to the time ahead with Bayer 04."
The central midfielder is currently sidelined with an adductor injury and will not feature in Leverkusen's Matchday 6 clash against Union Berlin on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST).
Related news

How will the 2026 World Cup work?
Bundesliga stars will be vying for the game's greatest international honour in the USA, Canada and Mexico - here's how it will all work.

Leverkusen maintain pressure on Bayern with win over Bochum
Xabi Alonso's side stayed in touch with league leaders Bayern Munich thanks to a convincing 3-1 win over Bochum.

Analysing Alonso's unbeaten run vs Bayern
In his time as Bayer Leverkusen boss, Xabi Alonso has remained unbeaten against Bayern Munich in six Bundesliga meetings, could he add to that record in the Champions League?
