Bayer Leverkusen midfielder illness

In late July 2026 Bayer Leverkusen announced that 17‑year‑old midfielder Kennet Eichhorn had been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder after a severe gastrointestinal infection caused rapid weight loss. The club said he would be treated in a specialist clinic and gave no timetable for his return.

Two days later, the club confirmed Eichhorn had been hospitalized at the same clinic. Recovery was still described as uncertain, with the player expected to miss several weeks of preseason training and no specific comeback date set. Sporting director Simon Rolfes emphasized a focus on long‑term health rather than a rushed return, noting the illness created a gap in the midfield and would affect squad planning.

The two updates together trace the progression from diagnosis and initial treatment plans to a confirmed hospital stay and the practical implications for Leverkusen’s upcoming season.