Leverkusen signs Argentina star Medina
Bayer Leverkusen completed the signing of defender Facundo Medina from Marseille in a deal worth up to €25m.
It has been reported Leverkusen will pay an initial €23m, with an additional €2m in performance-related add-ons for the Argentina international.
The 27 year-old, who can operate at centre-back or at left-back, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Carles Martinez Novell's side.
Medina joins Leverkusen after enjoying a fine individual campaign on loan at Marseille from Lens, making 26 appearances across all competitions.
Leverkusen had seen an initial bid for Medina rejected by Marseille, but they were able to agree a deal that was announced.
"Making the move to Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga is fantastic for me," Medina said. "At the World Cup, Exequiel Palacios told me a lot about the club and spoke very highly of Leverkusen.
"Pala has been here for so long and has enjoyed great success – that's something I'd like to experience with Bayer 04 too."
Medina arrives in Germany fresh from helping Argentina reach the World Cup final, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute of its 2-0 defeat to Spain.
He featured five times at the tournament, with three of those appearances coming from the start.
"In Facundo Medina, we have signed a highly experienced professional who, thanks to his quality and strong mentality, will immediately be a key player for our team,” said Leverkusen managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes.
"He's a player who excels in one-on-one situations: assertive and aggressive. His qualities add an important element to our squad. We're delighted to have him in our ranks."
Medina adds further quality to a Leverkusen defence that conceded 47 goals in the Bundesliga last season.
Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga in 2025-2026, enough to secure a spot in the Europa League, though not enough for Kasper Hjulmand to keep his job as coach.
It begins its domestic campaign in the DFB-Pokal against Wehen Wiesbaden on 22 August before taking on Elversberg in its first league match a week later.
