Austria’s team goalkeeper Patrick Pentz is moving from French club Stade Reims to Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. The Werkself announced on Friday that the 26-year-old has been given a contract until 30 June 2025 and will initially act as a back-up for captain and regular goalie Lukas Hradecky.
“As an Austrian, the German Bundesliga is of course very appealing to me, many compatriots play here,” explained Pentz after his move. “With Bayer 04 Leverkusen I now have the chance to prove my skills at a top four club.” Pentz switched from Vienna Austria to Stade Reims in the summer, but was not happy in France. After seven Ligue 1 appearances at the start of the season, Pentz has been on the bench since September.
Leverkusen were forced to act in the goalkeeping position because substitute keeper Andrei Lunjov was suffering from back problems. “We had to find a good solution in this important position because Andrei’s return to our squad in the near future is unclear,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes. The club is said to have tried to get Pentz mainly because of his footballing qualities. “Patrick is a strong footballer, has good reflexes and has a lot of experience and match practice,” said Rolfes.
Move to MLS rejected
The four-time ÖFB international was last in an international match against France (0:2) in September. Pentz’s contract in Reims would have run until the summer of 2025. According to APA information, the 26-year-old from Salzburg turned down a possible move to the Colorado Rapids in the US professional league Major League Soccer (MLS) and seized the opportunity to prove himself in the German Bundesliga in the current table night, even if only for the time being as a substitute.
“I will do my part and work hard so that we continue on the path we have taken and achieve our goals for the season,” emphasized the man from Salzburg. In any case, Leverkusen are hoping for an ideal complement to regular goalie Hradecky. “We’re happy about the opportunity to get an ambitious goalkeeper at a high level at short notice, with whom we will be well positioned in the future,” said Rolfes.
