Bayer Leverkusen sign Aleix García from Girona
Bayer Leverkusen have made their second summer acquisition with the signing of midfielder Aleix García from Girona.
García arrives at the BayArena having signed a five-year contract through to 30 June 2029.
The 26-year-old defensive midfielder was a pillar of the Girona side that finished third in Spain’s LaLiga and will compete alongside Leverkusen in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League for the first time. He captained the team, making 37 appearances last season.
“Aleix is a player with excellent strategical abilities, he very assured in his passing game and has great vision from his position in holding midfield,” said Bayer managing director for sport Simon Rolfes. “Aleix has leadership qualities that will be very valuable to us in the coming years. We’re pleased we could sign him. He’s an important factor in the realisation of our ambitious goals.”
García came through the youth system at Villarreal before a 2015 move to Manchester City. He went on to play senior games for both clubs, as well as Mouscron in Belgium, Dinamo Bucharest in Romania and Eibar back in his homeland before a permanent move to Girona in 2021.
After helping them to promotion, he leaves on the back of the club’s best-ever finish and 172 competitive appearances. The 2023/24 campaign also saw Garcia earn his first two senior caps for Spain, having represented his nation since U16 level, although he missed out on Luis de la Fuente’s final squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
Instead, the midfielder will join up with compatriot Xabi Alonso in Leverkusen as they look to strengthen on the back of their remarkable campaign. “Like many football fans across Europe, I watched Leverkusen in amazement last season,” Garcia said of his new club. “The fact a club like this did so much to bring me here impressed me. Now I want to fulfil expectations and do my part so this team and club can continue to enjoy success.”
Watch: Alonso's historic season at Leverkusen
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García will meet his new teammates when they return for pre-season training on 14 July. His debut could come in the Werkself’s first competitive fixture of 2024/25 when they host VfB Stuttgart in the Supercup on 17 August. The champions will then open the new Bundesliga season on 23 August.
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