Florian Wirtz made a trip back to the BayArena to say a final goodbye to his former club, sending a classy message to supporters following his transfer to Liverpool.
Liverpool made the statement of the summer by landing Wirtz, though the wait continues to see him in action for the first time after being left out of the first friendly against Preston.
The German international was not present at Deepdale, and there is reason to suggest he made a quick trip back to Leverkusen after posting a farewell message on Monday.
Wirtz shared his return to the BayArena on Instagram alongside a classy message to Leverkusen’s supporters, with the footage showing the 22-year-old clearing out his locker.
He said: “Dear fans, unfortunately I wasn’t able to say goodbye to you at the last game. That’s why I’m glad I can sit here once more in the BayArena and say a few words to you.
“I still remember when I transferred here five and a half years ago as a 16-year-old kid with big dreams. I’ve had so many experiences I could never have imagined.
“I made my pro debut in Bremen at 17. Unfortunately, that happened without fans, but I was all the more excited when I could finally run out into the arena with you behind me.
“A lot has happened since then. We celebrated many victories here, many goals, many assists. During that time, I was also able to grow into a national team player.”
He added: “I’d love to come back to the BayArena a few more times as a guest, and I hope I’ll get the chance to say goodbye to you in person this season.
“With that, I want to thank you for the beautiful time you gave me and for all the love you showed me. I hope you become champions again. Yours, Flo.”
Wirtz made 197 appearances for Leverkusen and made history during an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2023/24, a season which saw Xabi Alonso’s side also lift the DFB Cup.
He is to become an integral member of Arne Slot‘s side in the upcoming season, with supporters set to get their first look at the German on the tour of Hong Kong and Japan later this month.
Florian Wirtz’s message to Leverkusen in full
“Dear fans, unfortunately I wasn’t able to say goodbye to you at the last game. That’s why I’m glad I can sit here once more in the BayArena and say a few words to you.
“I still remember when I transferred here five and a half years ago as a 16-year-old kid with big dreams. I’ve had so many experiences I could never have imagined.
“I made my pro debut in Bremen at 17. Unfortunately, that happened without fans, but I was all the more excited when I could finally run out into the arena with you behind me.
“A lot has happened since then. We celebrated many victories here, many goals, many assists. During that time, I was also able to grow into a national team player.
“Then came the biggest setback of my career, a torn ACL. I had to work hard on myself every day but it was easier because I felt that you were always behind me.
“After about 10 months, I was finally able to stand on the pitch again. What happened after that is history.
“My hat-trick against Bremen, when you all ran onto the pitch afterward, it was an incredible feeling. What we achieved this season is still hard to grasp; unbeaten, champions, with a huge point gap.
“How you welcomed us back here when we drove through the city on the bus and arrived at the stadium to celebrate in the rain, I’ll never forget that.
“Just like how I’ll never forget how every time you called out my name, ‘Fußballgott!’ Even now thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
“I’d love to come back to the BayArena a few more times as a guest, and I hope I’ll get the chance to say goodbye to you in person this season.
“With that, I want to thank you for the beautiful time you gave me and for all the love you showed me. I hope you become champions again. Yours, Flo.”
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