Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, with the Bees announcing Caoimhín Kelleher as his replacement.
Flekken moves to Leverkusen in a deal believed to be worth £11million, the Netherlands international signing a contract until June 2028. Kelleher, meanwhile, joins Brentford from Liverpool on a five-year deal with an option for a further year. Brentford are reported to have paid the Premier League champions £18m for the Republic of Ireland international.
Prior to his move to Brentford in 2023, Flekken had spent his entire club career in Germany.
He helped Thomas Frank’s men to a top-half finish in 2024-25, but now joins a Leverkusen side transitioning to a new era under Erik ten Hag.
Two members of their 2023-24 double-winning side, Jonathan Tah and Jeremie Frimpong, have left the club to join Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively. That duo followed former coach Xabi Alonso out the door as he took over for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Liverpool are also attempting to pry Florian Wirtz away from Leverkusen, but Flekken is excited to be going the other way.
He said of his move to Leverkusen: “[This is] the next and special step in my career. Many games against absolutely world-class players in England have raised the level of my game.
“I’m very happy to be able to dedicate my qualities now to a top German club with big national and European targets.
“I love the Bundesliga and I’m obviously also looking forward to playing for the Werkself in the Champions League.”
Kelleher made 67 appearances for Liverpool, his competitive debut for the Reds coming in 2019.
He kept 24 clean sheets in all competitions in his time at Anfield, which saw him collect Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup winners’ medals.
“I am very pleased to welcome Caoimhin to Brentford,” director of football Phil Giles said.
“We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer.
“When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhin as his replacement.
“As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I’ve rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I’m therefore confident he’ll be an excellent addition to the squad.”
