AZ Alkmaar Secure Loan Deal for Andrea Natali from Bayer Leverkusen

AZ Alkmaar have signed young Italian defender Andrea Natali on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The move gives the teenager a chance for more first-team football in the Netherlands this season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Andrea Natali is a promising 17-year-old center-back. AZ Alkmaar and Bayer Leverkusen finalized a loan deal for him, allowing him to spend the 2025-26 season in the Eredivisie, aiming to get more game time after joining Leverkusen in 2024. Natali initially came through the youth systems at AC Milan and Barcelona before signing for Leverkusen. He is widely regarded as one of Italy’s most promising defensive prospects. He has captained Italy’s U15s and played a key role in their U17 European Championship-winning team in 2024.

WHY AZ ALKMAAR MADE THE MOVE

AZ Alkmaar aim to improve on their 4th place finish in the Eredivisie last season. The club hopes to do this by adding young talent like Natali to their squad. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen also sees value in the loan move. Leverkusen’s management after the firing of head coach Erik ten Hag has made several squad changes following a second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season and is aiming for a better performance this year after a rocky start, having currently gathered just one point from two matches. The loan offers Natali valuable experience, while providing AZ Alkmaar a strong defensive reinforcement.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BOTH CLUBS?

AZ Alkmaar begin their Eredivisie campaign against Heracles after the international break. They currently sit 6th after three matches played, one point behind Ajax and two behind PSV but with one less match than both teams. Integrating Natali into the squad could make a difference as they aim to push higher up in the standings and progress in European competition. Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, will hope Natali returns with more experience. Their next Bundesliga match is against Eintracht Frankfurt, the only other time alongside Bayern Munich with two wins from two Bundesliga matches.