Bayer Leverkusen has significantly strengthened its defense with the acquisition of Loïc Badé from Sevilla for a reported €29 million. The 25-year-old French defender has signed a five-year deal and joins fellow new arrival Claudio Echeverri at the Bundesliga club. Badé brings a wealth of experience from La Liga, where he won 63.3% of his tackles and 62.3% of his duels in 79 appearances for Sevilla. Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, believes Badé will make their defense “competitive at the highest level.”
Bayer Leverkusen is rapidly assembling a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts as they prepare for the 2025-26 Bundesliga season. The latest addition to their ranks is French defender Loïc Badé, who arrives from Sevilla in a deal reported to be worth €29 million. This signing comes hot on the heels of the announcement of young Argentine talent Claudio Echeverri, signaling a clear intent from Leverkusen to strengthen their squad significantly.
Badé, 25, has penned a five-year contract with the Bundesliga club, bringing a wealth of experience gained from his time in Spain’s La Liga. He initially joined Sevilla in January 2023 on loan, which was later made permanent. During his 79 LaLiga appearances for the Andalusian club, Badé demonstrated a strong defensive acumen, winning 63.3% of his tackles and 62.3% of his duels. His ability to consistently win possession and disrupt opposition attacks will be a valuable asset to Leverkusen’s backline.
Prior to his move to Sevilla, Badé honed his skills at Lens and Le Havre in France, steadily progressing through the ranks. He also showcased his international credentials by featuring in France’s Nations League third-place playoff victory over Germany earlier this year, playing the full 90 minutes. This international experience further underscores his quality and readiness for the demands of top-level football.
“The Bundesliga and German football really appeal to me,” Badé stated on Leverkusen’s official website. “Bayer Leverkusen have earned great recognition abroad in recent years. I’ve seen them a lot on TV, above all in European games. The stadium and the Leverkusen fans were brilliant. It will be great fun to battle for a trophy for Bayer 04 with that background.”
It’s Loïc Badé. pic.twitter.com/QjgBX3MTMu
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 21, 2025
The arrival of Badé addresses a key need in Leverkusen’s squad following the departure of Jonathan Tah earlier in the transfer window. He is expected to compete with fellow summer signing Jarell Quansah for a starting position in central defense. The competition for places will undoubtedly drive up standards and ensure that Leverkusen boasts a robust and reliable defensive unit.
Leverkusen’s managing sporting director, Simon Rolfes, expressed his delight at securing Badé’s signature. “In Loïc Badé we have signed a young but very experienced central defender for Bayer 04,” Rolfes said. “He’s used to playing against absolutely world-class strikers in La Liga in Spain. Loic is physically uncompromising and can read the game, an absolute addition to strengthening our defence. We are competitive at the highest level with this defence.”
Thursday proved to be a busy day for Leverkusen, with Amine Adli moving in the opposite direction, joining Premier League side Bournemouth. This outgoing transfer demonstrates Leverkusen’s commitment to streamlining their squad and ensuring that every player contributes to the team’s overall objectives. The club is clearly focused on building a cohesive and competitive unit capable of challenging for silverware.
Badé’s signing represents a significant coup for Leverkusen, adding a proven defender with international experience to their ranks. His physical presence, tactical awareness, and ability to win duels will be invaluable as they navigate the challenges of the Bundesliga and European competitions. With Badé and Echeverri now on board, Leverkusen fans have reason to be optimistic about the club’s prospects for the upcoming season.
The club's ambition is clear: to build upon their recent successes and establish themselves as a dominant force in both domestic and European football. The signings of Badé and Echeverri are testament to this ambition, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see these talented players in action.
