Simon rejoins Leverkusen after Bayern decade

A decade away, now back in Leverkusen

Veteran defender Carolin Simon has completed a move back to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, ending a ten-year spell with FC Bayern München. The 33-year-old, who has earned 22 caps for Germany, previously spent three and a half seasons at Leverkusen before joining Bayern.

Simon admitted the club has transformed since she left - only one physiotherapist remains from her earlier stint - but said there is still a comforting sense of familiarity about the place.

Why now?

Several factors drew Simon back. She pointed to Leverkusen's ambitious direction and encouraging conversations during the transfer process, saying she feels genuinely valued in her new role. The club has established itself as a Frauen-Bundesliga force and come close to qualifying for European competition.

After seven years at Bayern, Simon is embracing the fresh environment without heaping pressure on herself, simply aiming to become an important part of the squad.

Leadership and squad depth

As the most decorated player in the dressing room, Simon accepts the responsibility of guiding younger teammates - a role she understands well, having benefited from experienced heads early in her own career. She also stressed the value of a deep squad for managing injuries and driving internal competition.

Season ambitions and Bayern's dominance

Leverkusen face a demanding opening to the campaign against strong opposition, which suits Simon perfectly. She believes that if the team focus on their own quality, they can challenge the top sides. She acknowledged Bayern München's remarkable recent dominance in women's football but noted that sport always leaves room for surprises.

No retirement in sight

With 263 top-flight appearances to her name, Simon is not contemplating hanging up her boots. As long as fitness and motivation hold, she plans to keep going - and reaching 300 matches is a milestone she would relish, as OneFootball reports.