Tillman returns to the Bundesliga after completing Leverkusen transfer

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of PSV Eindhoven’s Malik Tillman as they aim to fill the void left by Florian Wirtz.

Tillman, who spent three years at Bayern Munich, returns to the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, and has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until 2030.

The United States international arrives for a reported club-record transfer fee of €35m, matching the sum Leverkusen paid for Liverpool defender Jarrell Quansah.

Tillman made 34 appearances across all competitions for PSV in 2024-25, scoring 16 goals and registering five assists to help his team lift the Eredivisie title.

Only Johan Bakayoko (47) completed more dribbles in the Dutch top flight for PSV than Tillman (42), while he also created 41 chances, the joint-fourth highest total in the team.

Tillman ends his time at PSV having won 85.2% of his matches in the Eredivisie (W46 D4 L4), the highest win percentage of any player with 50+ games in the competition.

“We’ve gained another strong and very dangerous attacking player,” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said.

“He can play in both the number 10 and the number 8 positions in midfield. Malik is an absolute top signing for us.”

Tillman also played a pivotal role in the USMNT’s run to the Gold Cup final, scoring three goals and providing two assists before their defeat to Mexico in the showpiece match.

It’s official.

Malik Tillman joins from @PSV on a deal until 2030!
Welcome to the Werkself, Malik! #Tillman2030 pic.twitter.com/rMqxx8Zcl3

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) July 12, 2025

Erik ten Hag is in need of attacking reinforcements, having allowed Wirtz to join Liverpool earlier this summer, with the German signing for a reported £116m (€135m) fee.

Wirtz was a pivotal figure for Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, making 119 appearances for the Spaniard, while scoring 38 goals and providing 43 assists.

The 22-year-old helped the club to their first-ever Bundesliga in 2023-24, as well as the DFB-Pokal, in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic season.

Wirtz followed that up with 30 goal involvements last term. His 16 goals were only second to Patrik Schick (27) among the team, scoring his tally from 13.8 expected goals (xG).

He also recorded the most assists (14), while only Alex Grimaldo (107) created more chances than his 91 among Leverkusen players in all competitions last season.