Francis Onyeka: Who is Bayer Leverkusen’s latest rising star?
Francis Onyeka is the latest in a long line of talents to have risen through the ranks at Bayer Leverkusen’s academy, but what more is there to know about the Fritz Walter Medal winner? bundesliga.com finds out...
Stats correct as of 19 March 2025
Age: 17 (born 29 April 2007)
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Attacking midfield/ winger
Country: Germany (U18s)/ Nigeria
Key stats
Born in Gummersbach to Nigerian parents, Onyeka was snapped up by Leverkusen at the tender age of seven and has remained at the club ever since, signing his first professional contract with Die Werkself in November 2023, after nearly a decade in the academy.
Regarded by many at the club as one their hottest prospects, Onyeka has consistently impressed at youth level, registering 28 goals and eight assists in 80 games across Leverkusen's U17 and U19 sides.
The youngster has yet to make his Bundesliga debut, but has featured for the first team in the DFB Cup, coming on as Leverkusen beat Elversberg 3-0 in the 2024/25 second round. He got a taste of the UEFA Champions League a month later, replacing Florian Wirtz late on in a 5-0 thrashing of Austrian side RB Salzburg.
Onyeka has also impressed for Germany's youths, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances across their various age categories and retaining his place with the U18s during the March 2025 international break.
Plays a bit like: Yaya Touré
Standing at 6'2", Onyeka is the same height as Yaya Touré and also shares the retired great's ability to keep a low centre of gravity when dribbling, being able to glide past defenders as if they weren't there. Whilst he still has some filling out to do to become the same physical threat as the Ivorian, the young Onyeka has the same outstanding close control, passing range, and goal threat, contributing plenty of goals from midfield, as Touré did during his time at Manchester City.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Did you know?
Onyeka's remarkable achievements at his age have not gone unrewarded. In 2024, he received the prestigious gold Fritz Walter Medal in the U17 category as the best player in his age group. Other notable players to have won the award include Wirtz and Mario Götze.
What they're saying
“Francis is a child of the club, and we are happy to see his outstanding development. We are firmly convinced that he will have a successful career with us.” - Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes upon Onyeka's signing of his first professional contract
“He’s a player we have high hopes for. He has good energy, listens well, and is very attentive. But we need to be patient with him.” - Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso after Onyeka's DFB Cup appearance against Elversberg
“Francis has earned this chance. We can see that he has developed a lot in the U19s. It’s nice for him to have this feeling now. He will remember it. It was only a few minutes, but they were important for him.” - Alonso after Onyeka's UEFA Champions League debut against Salzburg
Related news
How far have Leverkusen come under Xabi Alonso?
In less than three seasons, Alonso has turned Die Werkself from nearly men into a title-winning force to be reckoned with...
Fantasy tips for Matchday 31
Not sure which players should be in your Fantasy team? bundesliga.com's got you covered...
Matchday 31 probable line-ups
Will Jonas Urbig have to surrender his place to usual No.1 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer when Bayern Munich host Mainz?