Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Wednesday, May 17, 2023
MUNICH – Former Germany international Karim Bellarabi is leaving Bayer Leverkusen after 12 seasons with the team, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday.
The forward had been already ruled out of the season last week after he suffered a torn muscle in his left thigh. Whether he will move to another club or retire is still unclear.
“With Bellarabi, we are losing a well-deserved and very popular player in the entire club environment. Karim played an enormously important role in the team,” Leverkusen managing director Fernando Carro said.
Bellarabi played 290 competitive games for Leverkusen, in which he scored 57 goals and provided 66 assists. For Germany, he played 11 games between 2014 and 2016. His contract with the Bundesliga club ends this summer.
“It was an incredible time for me. I experienced great things and played fantastic games for this club. Leverkusen has grown so close to my heart that this well-considered step hurts me very, very much nevertheless,” the player said.
He still hopes he can win the Europa League title with the club. Leverkusen were defeated 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-finals tie with Roma last week and welcome the Italian team for the second leg game on Thursday.
“That would be a wonderful end to my career in black and red, it would be a dream! There is nothing I want more for this club,” he said.
