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Bayer Leverkusen “Secretly” Extended Victor Boniface
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- Bayer Leverkusen “Secretly” Extended Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface was heading towards the exit at Bayer Leverkusen . Now, remarkably, the club is considering keeping him.
That change in thinking comes at a time when the Nigerian is finally beginning to look like himself again. According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger , Leverkusen had recently been working towards either a permanent sale or a loan, ideally one including an obligation to buy. But Boniface's progress during pre-season has forced the club to reconsider.
From Injury Struggles to Redemption: Victor Boniface’s Unexpected Comeback Story?
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The biggest development may have nothing to do with what happened on the pitch.
Leverkusen have confirmed that Boniface's contract actually runs until 2029, not 2028 as had been widely assumed. The club never publicly announced the extension believed to have been agreed in 2025, meaning the longer deal went largely unnoticed.
That extra year gives Leverkusen time.
And right now, time is exactly what Boniface needs.
The striker had surgery on his right knee in January after his loan spell at Werder Bremen was cut short. He had made just 11 Bundesliga appearances without scoring, and the injury meant he missed the rest of the season. Werder's medical team made the decision alongside Leverkusen's doctors.
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There were serious doubts about what would come next.
Before Boniface's loan to Werder Bremen, even a permanent move to AC Milan fell apart amid concerns over the player's physical condition. His previous history includes two cruciate ligament tears during his time at Bodø/Glimt, making his return to consistent football a particularly delicate process.
Yet the picture this summer has been completely different.
Boniface returned to Leverkusen ahead of schedule, worked extensively with the club's medical staff, and has now completed the entire pre-season programme without missing a session. That progress has not gone unnoticed.
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Then came Newcastle.
Pre Season Friendly - Newcastle United v Bayer Leverkusen (Image From: Action Images via Reuters)
Introduced late at St James' Park, Boniface needed only a few minutes to provide the decisive moment in Leverkusen's 2-1 victory. He received the ball near the edge of the box, created space with a clever movement, and finished calmly into the corner.
For Simon Rolfes , that was more than just a nice goal.
The fact that he's back to making those kinds of plays is a positive development
- The sporting director said.
Martínez was even more revealing.
When he controlled the ball, I immediately thought: That's Boniface,
- The coach said.
At the same time, he stressed that the striker is still some way from being physically ready for long minutes.
That is probably the key to the entire situation.
Leverkusen already has Patrik Schick and Christian Kofane competing for the central striker role. Boniface is not going to walk straight back into the team and play 90 minutes every week. But his physical and technical profile, ability to carry and combine, plus his power in the final third give Martínez something different from the other forwards.
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And with the club already struggling to reduce an oversized squad, perhaps the smartest decision is not to force a sale simply because that was the original plan.
Boniface's longer contract means Die Werkself can afford to wait.
A few months ago, his market value was damaged by injuries and a disappointing loan. Now, with his fitness returning and confidence improving, that could change quickly. A productive season at the club or on loan could either convince Leverkusen to keep him permanently or attract much stronger offers next summer.
For once, the biggest development in Boniface's career may simply be that he is playing football again.
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Leverkusen thought they were looking at an exit.
Now they may have found a reason to keep the player they never really stopped believing in.
