Leverkusen – Bayer 04 Leverkusen has clinched the return of 33‐year‐old Michael Ballack to the German Bundesliga. The injured German national team captain, who has played 98 games for his country, will make a free transfer from London club Chelsea to the Bundesliga’s fourth‐placed side, for which he also played from 1999 to 2002. Ballack’s new contract will run to June 30, 2012.

“My return to Bayer 04 Leverkusen is like closing the circle. I had an enjoyable and successful time with the club, which I look back on with pleasure. This was one factor in my decision to move to Leverkusen, as were the good sporting opportunities for this young and attractive team. I’m really looking forward to the great fans who were of course another reason for deciding to return to Bayer 04 Leverkusen,” said Michael Ballack.

“We are extremely pleased that Michael Ballack has decided to accept our offer. His career really took off while he was in Leverkusen and now he’s coming back. Michael has superb leadership qualities and we hope that he can contribute a great deal on both national and international levels,”commented Wolfgang Holzhäuser, Managing Director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Leverkusen’s Director of Sport Rudi Völler is also extremely satisfied with the club’s coup. “Michael Ballack will bring additional quality to our team. Especially our many young players will be able to benefit from his skill and experience,” he said. “We’ve done everything we can to persuade Michael.The fact that he has give us preference over clubs with far greater financial resources is a testament to his emotional ties to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.”

Head Coach Jupp Heynckes congratulated the club’s management on its successful negotiations.“They’ve not only managed to sign the German national team captain but also a world‐class player and great personality. There aren’t many other players who’ve been as successful abroad as Michael Ballack, which is remarkable. I’m certain that he’ll tackle his new challenges in Leverkusen as convincingly as he did at Chelsea and Bayern Munich and that, once again, he’ll become the dominating force in football we’ve come to expect.”