Leverkusen snap up teen striker

The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in Spain in 2024/25 by scoring eight goals in 20 games after the winter break.

“It’s incredible for me to get to play for a Champions League club after such a short time in Europe,” Kofane said on signing for the 2024 German double winners. “I’ll give my all to take this chance in the Bundesliga. There are so many examples in Leverkusen’s history of young players who’ve achieved great things here.”

The 6’2’’ striker only joined Albacete in November 2024 from partner club AS Nylon in his native Cameroon. After quickly impressing with his new club's youth teams in Spain, he was promoted to the senior squad and made his professional debut on 11 January 2025, starting and scoring in a 2-2 draw with Racing Santander.

“Christian is an extremely powerful and quick striker. He’ll make our play more variable with his strengths and also has the potential to become an important part of our team in the coming years,” added Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes.

Kofane is set to be part of the squad that travels to Brazil for a 10-day pre-season training camp next week. Many members of the team have already returned for training under new head coach Erik ten Hag.

The Werkself kick off their new campaign against Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Cup on 15 August. Their opening Bundesliga game is at home to Hoffenheim eight days later.