Done Deal
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Bayer Leverkusen has officially announced the signing of Malik Tillman as a replacement for Florian Wirtz. The U.S. men’s national team star had been linked to the former Bundesliga champions for several weeks, and the German club confirmed the deal with a statement revealing that the ex-Bayern Munich talent signed a five-year contract for a transfer fee of €35 million.
The 23-year-old playmaker, a product of the Bayern academy, previously joined PSV on a permanent deal for €12 million following a loan spell, which included an exit clause. PSV raised concerns regarding this clause, suggesting it was only exercisable by Bayern Munich in 2025. When Tillman was sold to PSV last summer, Bayern kept a matching right. However, both Leverkusen and the player believed that any club could activate the exit clause after a certain date. This disagreement nearly led to a legal dispute, but all parties have now resolved the matter, culminating in a total deal worth €40 million.
Tillman Joins Leverkusen for Second Biggest Fee for USMNT Player
With this transfer finalized, Tillman becomes the second most expensive player in USMNT history. The record is held by Christian Pulisic, who transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea for €64 million during the 2018/19 season. Bayer Leverkusen’s significant investment in Tillman reflects his impressive performance—he scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 24 appearances, boosting his market value to €32 million, making him the third highest valued player in the Eredivisie. As Leverkusen looks to fill the void left by Wirtz, they are optimistic that Tillman will develop into a top-tier talent in the Bundesliga.
