Bundesliga soccer club Bayer Leverkusen has signed Portuguese winger Afonso Moreira from Olympique Lyon. The works club officially announced this on Thursday evening.
Bayer Leverkusen has a new left winger: Afonso Moreira has signed a contract until 2031, according to the club.
There had been speculation about the transfer for days – including about the amount of the transfer fee, which is likely to be quite impressive. The transfer expert Fabrizio Romano wrote that Bayer would pay the French first division club Olympique Lyon a transfer fee of 32 million euros. The “kicker” estimated the sum at a good 30 million euros.
The Portuguese U21 international played 37 competitive games for Lyon last season, scoring eight goals and providing eleven assists. He was used seven times in the Europa League.
“Afonso Moreira is a fast, agile and tricky attacker with a good finish and an excellent eye for his teammates,” said Bayer 04 managing director Sport Simon Rolfes in the club’s statement: “His pace and intense style of play fit our team perfectly. With Afonso we gain additional power and creativity in the offensive area. We are looking forward to a highly exciting and developing player in our Werkself jersey.”
Next high-priced transfer from Bayer Leverkusen
The 1.76 meter tall attacker is “very proud and happy” that the transfer to Bayer Leverkusen worked out. “From the first conversation, I had the feeling that this club was an excellent fit for my sporting ambitions. The people in charge showed me a clear perspective in very appreciative discussions, dealt intensively with my situation and my goals and conveyed to me that they firmly believed in my potential. This recognition meant a lot to me and was a key reason for my decision in favor of Leverkusen.”
Only a year ago, the right-footer moved from Sporting’s second team to Lyon and cost the French two million euros in transfer fee.
Moreira is the second high-priced talent that Leverkusen has signed with its new coach Carles Martinez within a few days. According to media reports, Bayer is due a transfer fee of nine million euros for 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha BSC.