Bayer Leverkusen has officially announced the signing of United States international attacker Malik Tillman from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. The 23-year-old has penned a five-year contract at the BayArena, securing his future with the Bundesliga champions until 2029.
Tillman`s arrival adds a dynamic option to Xabi Alonso`s squad, particularly in the attacking midfield and forward lines. The move follows the recent transfer of Florian Wirtz, indicating Leverkusen`s proactive approach to maintaining squad strength after securing their historic league title.
Tillman returns to German football having previously spent eight years within the Bayern Munich system. He made his senior debut for Bayern before embarking on loan spells that significantly boosted his development and profile.
A productive period in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers in the 2022/23 season saw him register 12 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. His impressive form led to a move to PSV Eindhoven, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent. At PSV, Tillman was instrumental in their back-to-back Eredivisie titles, contributing a remarkable 9 goals and 10 assists in the 2023/24 campaign, followed by another 14 goal involvements in 2024/25, plus 4 in the Champions League.
Speaking on his transfer, Tillman expressed his enthusiasm: “This club has always played great football. In the last four or five years, Leverkusen have grown enormously and become attractive to a lot of players throughout Europe. I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven and it remains my aim here.” His ambition aligns neatly with Leverkusen`s recent success and future aspirations.
Managing Director for Sport, Simon Rolfes, highlighted Tillman`s qualities: “In Malik Tillman we have gained another player who has great ability and is very dangerous in front of goal. He can play in midfield either as a number 10 or as a number 8. Malik is an absolute top signing for us.” This endorsement from the club hierarchy underscores the significance of the acquisition.
On the international stage, Tillman, who represented Germany at youth levels, has committed his senior career to the United States. He has earned 23 caps for the USMNT, scoring three goals, including contributions to their run to the Concacaf Gold Cup final this summer. His international experience adds another layer to his profile as he joins a squad featuring established stars and emerging talents.
The signing of Malik Tillman represents a strategic move for Bayer Leverkusen, bringing in a young, versatile, and proven attacker with significant experience in competitive leagues. His track record of goal contributions and stated desire for success suggest he is eager to make an immediate impact for the German champions.
