Bayer Leverkusen announced on Friday that they have completed a contract extension with Argentinian midfielder Ezequiel Palacios. The new contract will extend his contract by four years, from its original expiration date of 2026, until June 30, 2030.

Despite Palacios' long-term absence since September due to an adductor injury, the club still expressed its firm confidence in him by renewing his contract. In a statement, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said: "Since joining us in 2020, Ezekiel Palacios has become a pillar of our team. He has been a key member of our team in recent years and will take on important responsibilities in a team that is hungry for success and capable of competing for the title."

"Palacios' value to us grows every year," Rolfes added. "With his extensive international experience, excellent tactical skills and personal qualities, he will continue to play a key role in the team's ambitious rebuilding process."

The 26-year-old Palacios, a product of River Plate's youth academy, made his professional debut with the first team in the Argentine Primera División on August 11, 2015. He went on to make 87 appearances for River Plate, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists, winning one Copa Libertadores title, one Copa Sudamericana title, and two Argentine Primera División titles.

In January 2020, Palacios moved to Leverkusen for €17 million. To date, he has made 162 appearances for Leverkusen, contributing 15 goals and 16 assists, and has won one Bundesliga title and one German Cup with the team.

After completing the contract extension, Palacios said: "The speed of development at Leverkusen has been amazing since I arrived in Germany five years ago. I am extremely proud to be an important part of this journey."

“We want to build on our success and continue to write new chapters. We will rely on a complete squad that has everything it takes to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe. I am very much looking forward to the future with Leverkusen.”