‘HE’S EXTRAORDINARY!’

Leverkusen director happy with Bailey signing

BERLIN (AP): BAYER LEVERKUSEN sporting director Rudi Voeller says his club is happy to have signed Jamaican forward Leon Bailey on the last day of the transfer window. The 19-year-old Bailey arrived from Belgian club Genk and signed through 2022, ninth-place Leverkusen said yesterday. “This lad was also high on many other European clubs’ wish list,” Voeller said. “That’s why we’re even happier that we could see off such strong competition.”

Bailey is eligible for the club’s Champions League campaign despite playing in the Europa League for Genk this season.

“He is an extraordinarily fast and tricky player who will boost our attack,” Voeller added.

FEE NOT DISCLOSED

Leverkusen did not disclose a transfer fee but German media reported the club was paying some US$12.8 million for the player.

Bailey’s transfer came in a window that saw Bundesliga clubs spending almost US$100 million.

The 18 Bundesliga clubs invested more than US$96 million in new players in this transfer period, easily beating the previous record of $65 million set two years ago, news agency dpa reported. Higher revenue from TV deals means the big-spending trend is likely to continue.

Bailey, who is yet to make his debut for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, has impressed during his time with Genk, scoring 15 goals and providing 21 assists in his 77 league games for the Belgians. Bailey also tallied seven goals and three assists in his 12 European outings for the team and will be looking to make a similar mark with his new German club.