Bayer Leverkusen signs Benfica defender Alejandro Grimaldo on free transfer

By Associated Press

LEVERKUSEN: Europa League semifinalist Bayer Leverkusen will sign Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, the German club said Monday.

The 27-year-old Spaniard was a key presence in Benfica’s run to the quarterfinals of the Champions League before a 5-3 aggregate loss to Inter Milan last month.

Leverkusen’s managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said the club’s “ambitious concept for the coming years” had played a role in convincing Grimaldo to sign.

Welcome to #Bayer04, @grimaldo35!

Alejandro #Grimaldo has signed a contract until 2027. ¡Bienvenido! #Werkself | #HolaGrimaldo pic.twitter.com/Y5C55ZmQmU

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 15, 2023

Leverkusen faces Roma in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal on Thursday. Roma has a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Leverkusen is seventh in the Bundesliga after rising up the table in the second half of the season under coach Xabi Alonso, who was hired in October with the team second from last.

<br /> LEVERKUSEN: Europa League semifinalist Bayer Leverkusen will sign Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, the German club said Monday.</p> <p>The 27-year-old Spaniard was a key presence in Benfica’s run to the quarterfinals of the Champions League before a 5-3 aggregate loss to Inter Milan last month.</p> <p>Leverkusen’s managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said the club’s “ambitious concept for the coming years” had played a role in convincing Grimaldo to sign.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.81 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad843 " id="quads-ad843" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.81 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="4374041191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>Welcome to #Bayer04, @grimaldo35!<br /> Alejandro #Grimaldo has signed a contract until 2027. ¡Bienvenido! #Werkself | #HolaGrimaldo pic.twitter.com/Y5C55ZmQmU<br /> — Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 15, 2023<br /> Leverkusen faces Roma in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal on Thursday. Roma has a 1-0 lead from the first leg.</p> <p>Leverkusen is seventh in the Bundesliga after rising up the table in the second half of the season under coach Xabi Alonso, who was hired in October with the team second from last.<br />