Official | Bayer Leverkusen sign Janis Blaswich to back up Mark Flekken

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German keeper Janis Blaswich’s move to Bayer Leverkusen has been officially confirmed. The 34-year-old switches Bundesliga outfits, arriving on a €2m transfer from RB Leipzig. Blaswich will back up Leverkusen’s new No. 1 Mark Flekken, who himself is replacing longtime starting keeper and captain Lukas Hradecky. 

Hradecky officially bade farewell to die Werkself over the weekend. After completing his €3m switch to Monaco on Friday, Hradecky published a long farewell letter to B04 fans thanking them for their support over the course of seven Bundesliga seasons.

Blaswich made sure to reference Hradecky’s departure in his club statement. The former Borussia Mönchengladbach academy man, who never ended up representing a Westphalian club professionally, also made it clear that he was happy to finally be headed home. 

“It’s a great pleasure for me to follow such a charismatic colleague as Lukas, who has become a legend at Bayer 04,” Blaswich noted in his statement “Now to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the most prestigious club in my home region and one of the best clubs in Germany, is outstanding.“

Leverkusen have now finally completed a total overhaul of their goalkeeping corps. The Westphalians also shed previous back-up Matej Kovar this summer, sending the Czech international out on loan to PSV Eindhoven on a deal that will almost certainly end in a permanent purchase.

GGFN | Peter Weis