Kai Havertz reaffirms commitment to Bayer Leverkusen ahead of new Bundesliga season

Kai Havertz has put an end to speculation linking him with a move away from Bayer Leverkusen, saying the Rhineland club is "the best place" for his development.

Havertz was one of the standout players in the Bundesliga last season, and was instrumental in Leverkusen's return to the UEFA Champions League after a two-year absence.

The midfielder became the first teenager in Bundesliga history to reach 17 goals in a single campaign, and earned his first three senior international caps for Germany.

He had been linked with a move away from the BayArena, but says he gave the rumours little thought.

"For me, it has been clear for a long time that I will be at Leverkusen next season," Havertz told Süddeutsche Zeitung.

"I feel very good here. I can definitely say that Leverkusen is the right place for me."

Watch: All 17 of Kai Havertz's Bundesliga goals in 2018/19

Havertz has been at Leverkusen since the age of 11. He was just 17 when he made his Bundesliga debut in a game against Werder Bremen on 15 October 2016, becoming the youngest player in Bayer history to appear in the German top flight.

He also ranks as Die Werkself's youngest goalscorer and, at the age of just 18 years and 307 days, the most precocious player in Bundesliga history to reach 50 appearances.

All told, Havertz has played in 85 Bundesliga matches and 105 in all competitions, registering 28 goals and 22 assists. He only turned 20 in June.

"Leverkusen's like home to me," said the Aachen-born sensation. "It's the best place for my development."

Havertz is contracted to Bayer until summer 2022.

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