Kennet Eichhorn returns to Bayer Leverkusen training after metabolic illness

The 17-year-old midfielder is back on the pitch after a three-month absence, but Sporting Director Simon Rolfes stresses a step-by-step build-up with no set date for a return to team training.

Kennet Eichhorn has returned to the Bayer Leverkusen training ground after a three-month enforced absence. The 17-year-old midfielder has recovered from a metabolic illness diagnosed in August following a stomach virus, during which he lost weight.

Sporting Director Simon Rolfes confirmed the return. He said the club was very happy the player is back and can work individually on the pitch. Rolfes was clear, however, that there is no concrete timetable for a return to team training. The build-up will be supported step by step and accompanied intensively, with no concrete timeframe currently in place.

The club plans to play without the youth international in the Bundesliga, Europa League and DFB-Pokal until the end of the calendar year. The long-term development and recovery of the talent is being prioritised over immediate selection. His return is happening sooner than initially feared. Eichhorn, who moved from Hertha BSC Berlin to Leverkusen in the summer of 2024, is currently training alone. In the weeks before his return, he had already worked with a private trainer.

Step-by-Step Build-Up with Family

The next steps will be closely coordinated with the player and his parents. If ongoing monitoring shows no irregularities, his workload will be increased slowly. The defensive midfielder's contract runs until 30 June 2031. At Hertha BSC, the then 16-year-old made appearances for the senior team last season and is considered a player with top career prospects.

Eichhorn's return is a positive note for a squad currently sitting sixth in the Bundesliga. After eight matchdays, Bayer Leverkusen have points and their recent form reads three wins and two defeats from the last five games. The next fixture is the away match at 1. FC Köln on 8 November. Leverkusen are behind leaders Bayern Munich in the standings. Patrik Schick leads the internal scoring chart. Planning for the upcoming fixtures, which can be found on the fixtures page, will initially proceed without the young Eichhorn, whose values will continue to be monitored this week.