Leverkusen agree deal for Gremio's Wendell
Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal to sign Gremio defender Wendell at the end of the season.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tiP32JBRrgfH9cDLAw2asf.jpg)
The 20-year-old has put to pen to paper on a five-year deal that will keep him at the BayArena until 2019.
Wendell becomes the latest in a line of Brazilians to play for Leverkusen by following in the footsteps of World Cup winners Paulo Sergio and Lucio and current Gremio captain Ze Roberto.
And Wendell revealed that Ze Roberto's advice had played a big part in his decision to join the Bundesliga outfit.
"Bayer Leverkusen continues to enjoy an excellent reputation in Brazil," Wendell told the club's official website.
"Ze Roberto, who played many years with Bayer, advised me to embark on this path.
"He has raved about his time with Leverkusen in the highest tones."
Wendel has made just 17 appearances for Gremio since joining in June 2013, but Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller is confident that the left-back can have an immediate impact.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"Wendell is a huge talent that can help us immediately," Voller added.
"We are sure that he can continue the great tradition of top Brazilian players at Bayer Leverkusen."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack