Bayer Leverkusen signed Palop from Sevilla

Bayer Leverkusen completed the signing of Sevilla veteran goalkeeper Andreas Palop on a one-year deal.

The 39-year-old Valencia player will be employed as a back-up to first-choice goalie Bernd Leno next season, when Leverkusen will play in Champions League. Palop’s European experience (he lifted two successive UEFA Cup trophies with Sevilla back in 2006 and 2007) could prove to be an indispensable asset to the club.

Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Voller believes Leno has a lot to learn from his elderly teammate. He said: “Following the departure of Michael Rensing, we were looking for an experienced number two goalkeeper who we would have no qualms about playing, should Bernd Leno be unavailable. Bernd will be able to learn from him in training each day.”

Palop revealed the move to Bundesliga has been a new challenge to him. He said: “I’m really glad that after all of these years in the Primera Division, I can now play abroad. The Bundesliga has become very interesting for players throughout Europe and of course Leverkusen, being a leading German side and participant in the Champions League, are a particularly attractive club for me.”