Leverkusen sign Brentford goalie Flekken

Bayer Leverkusen have signed Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Premier League side Brentford, the Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday. 

German media reported Leverkusen paid 10 million euros (£8.45 million, $11.5 million) to secure the 31-year-old's services. 

Flekken, who signed a deal running to 2028, will likely take over from current Leverkusen goalie Lukas Hradecky, who captained the side to their historic unbeaten league and cup double in 2023-24.

In a statement, Flekken said he was taking "another special step in my career", adding that Leverkusen are "a top German club with high national and European goals".

Leverkusen are expected to undergo a rebuild this off-season, with former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag having already replaced the Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso as coach.

Centre-back Jonathan Tah signed on a free transfer with German champions Bayern Munich, while midfielder Florian Wirtz is in talks to join wing-back Jeremie Frimpong in moving to Premier League winners Liverpool. 

The Dutch 'keeper has Bundesliga experience, having spent five years at Freiburg before making the switch to Brentford in 2023. 

dwi/bsp