(Football news) Germany’s Florian Wirtz has committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen by signing a long-term deal till 2027. The highly rated attacker is currently out of action with a cruciate ligament injury but he can now focus on his recovery and get back even stronger next season. Despite only turning 19 in May, Wirtz was one of the main reasons his side secured a third-place finish in the 2021/22 Bundesliga standings. He even went on to score seven league goals and added 10 more assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances before picking up a season ending injury in March.
The connection between Bayer Leverkusen and Florian is already an extraordinary success story for the club as Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes and head Gerardo Seoane revealed earlier in June that the youngster's career recovery is going well. He also added that he will not have the gifted playmaker until after the winter break, but there is a possibility that Wirtz could even be available by October or November. Wirtz this season took the league by storm as he made a blistering start to the season and went on to win his first cap for Germany this season.
Leverkusen and Germany will be keen to see Wirtz back on the pitch as soon as possible following a remarkable start to his career, with the World Cup this year, Hansi Flick will be hoping to add the talented attacker to his WC squad. He is currently one of the best young players in the Bundesliga. He created history as he became the youngest-ever debutant at 17 years and 16 days old and has since become the youngest player in the league to make 50 appearances. Wirtz is a former Cologne academy player who also became an European U21 champion with Germany in 2021 and in September of that year he also made his senior debut for Germany at the age of 18. For the Leverkusen fans Wirtz's deal is another bit of good news for them ahead of the 2022/23 campaign where they will play Champions League football after a longtime. Czech striker Patrik Schick, who scored 24 Bundesliga goals last season, also signed a contract extension with the club in May.
"The boys here are an important reason why I feel at home here and why everything's gone so well overall. There's a lot more to come from us and this club. That's what we want to show all Bayer fans – and also those that aren't. The development over the last couple of years has been breathtaking for me, and certainly not something I could have anticipated. I'm well aware that the team has played its role in that" Wirtz said.
“Things are going well so far. It could be that things go quickly [while] it also depends on how disciplined and hard-working [Florian] is. [He could return] in October or probably November. If he's fit and can train, he might get a call-up to the squad [this year], but I don't expect Florian back until 2023," Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane recently told the media when asked about Wirtz's recovery.
Also read: Christopher Nkunku signs a contract extension with RB Leipzig
