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Bayer Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract before sending the Senegalese centre-back to Celta Vigo on loan. The 21-year-old has signed a new deal through 2031 and will spend the entire 2026/27 campaign with the La Liga club. No purchase option has been included in the agreement. Kicker reports that Celta will pay Leverkusen a loan fee of approximately €300,000.
Faye joined Die Werkself from Swedish side BK Häcken last summer for a reported fee of between €2.7m and €3m. Get German Football News previously profiled the defender when Leverkusen completed the signing of the Senegalese prospect.
The left-footed defender formed part of a broad group of young players recruited as future assets. Faye was also listed alongside Axel Tape in GGFN’s coverage of Leverkusen’s development and immediate-loan strategy.
Faye receives second development loan
Faye spent last season on loan with newly promoted Ligue 1 side Lorient. He made 17 league appearances and established himself as a regular starter when available. Two extended injury absences prevented the defender from accumulating more playing time. Faye also collected eight yellow cards during his first season in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
His departure to Lorient represented the 13th outgoing transfer of Leverkusen’s extensive 2025 summer overhaul, as noted in GGFN’s report on the club’s rapidly changing squad.
Celta will now offer Faye the opportunity to gain experience in both La Liga and the Europa League. The Galician club finished sixth last season and will return to continental competition.
The Senegalese defender is expected to compete with former Spanish international Marcos Alonso for the left centre-back position. Alonso made 32 league appearances last season and remains an established figure in Celta’s defence.
Leverkusen statement on Abdoulaye Faye loan
“Abdoulaye Faye possesses great potential, which he demonstrated both last season in France and during the opening weeks of our current preseason,” Leverkusen director of football Kim Falkenberg noted in a club statement. “With the loan to Spain, we hope that he will gain further valuable playing experience at a high level and internationally and take the next step in his development.”
