Flekken joins Leverkusen as Kelleher replaces him at Brentford
Then Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has returned to the Bundesliga and joined Bayer Leverkusen from Brentford, who in turn have signed Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher to replace him. Tom Weller/dpa
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has returned to the Bundesliga and joined Bayer Leverkusen from Brentford, who in turn have signed Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher to replace him.
Leverkusen announced in a statement on Tuesday that the Netherlands goalkeeper, who was previously at Freiburg, has signed a contract until 2028.
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The 31-year-old has played for Brentford in the English Premier League for the past two seasons. Media reports estimated the transfer at €10 million ($11.4 million).
"He knows the Bundesliga from his successful time in Freiburg. His years in England and his role in the Dutch national team have also given Mark a great deal of international experience. We are therefore very well positioned in the goalkeeper positions for the coming years," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said.
Flekken is expected to become the new number one for the 2024 German champions, who are now coached by another Dutchman in Erik ten Hag.
Last season, Lukas Hradecky and Matej Kovar shared the role, but Kovar in particular struggled as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga.
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Brentford immediately replaced Flekken with Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher from Liverpool for £18 million ($25.5 million). A statement said the Premier League champion had penned a five-year deal.
Kelleher was playing second fiddle to Alisson Becker at Liverpool and the July arrival of Valencia's Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili at Anfield was set to limit his chances further.
"I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week," he said.
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