Players with the most combined appearances for Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich since 1993

Bayer Munich's decade of dominance was halted in extraordinary fashion by Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and the two clubs are fronting a fresh rivalry for Bundesliga honours.

We've looked at the players who have made the most appearances for both clubs since 1993.

Josip Stanisic - 83 appearances

Bayern Munich - 45; Bayer Leverkusen - 38

Josip Stanisic emerged through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich, representing Bayern Munich II across two seasons before making his first-team debut for the senior team in 2021.

The German-born Croatian international joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the 2023/24 season, making 38 appearances in all competitions as Xabi Alonso's men completed the domestic double.

Stanisic returned to Bayern at the end of the campaign and signed a contract extension until 2029.

Niko Kovac - 147 appearances

Bayer Leverkusen - 96; Bayern Munich - 51

Niko Kovac joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin in 1996 and made a total of 96 appearances across three seasons for DIe Werkself before moving to Hamburger SV.

The Croatian midfielder later made the switch to Bayern Munich in 2001, accompanying his brother, Robert, at the club where he won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal title in 2003.

Toni Kroos - 253 appearances

Bayern Munich - 205; Bayer Leverkusen - 48

Toni Kroos is another to emerge from the Bayern Munich talent factory and the midfielder debuted for the club aged 17 in 2007.

The five-time UEFA Champions League winner went on loan to Leverkusen for the 2009/10 season, where he racked up nine goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga, which immediately thrust him into first-team contention under Louis van Gaal when he returned to Bavaria.

Kroos made over 200 appearances for Bayern before moving to Real Madrid in 2014.

Arturo Vidal - 268 appearances

Bayer Leverkusen - 144; Bayern Munich - 124

Arturo Vidal's represented some of Europe's most illustrious clubs and his venture into the continent began with Bayer Leverkusen, joining the club from Colo-Colo in 2007.

The Chilean midfielder earned an array of plaudits across a four-year spell at the BayArena to earn a switch to Juventus.

Winning four consecutive Serie A titles, he returned to the Bundesliga in 2015 with Bayern Munich, where he added a further three league titles to his CV before departing for Barcelona in 2018.

Paulo Sergio - 275 appearances

Bayer Leverkusen - 150; Bayern Munich - 125

Brazilian forward Paulo Sergio moved to Bayer Leverkusen from Corinthians in 1993 and netted 61 goals in 147 appearances before heading to Roma in 1997.

A return to Germany beckoned in 1999 for the 1994 World Cup winner, helping Bayern Munich to successive Bundesliga titles and the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League titles prior to a switch to Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates in 2002.

Robert Kovac - 306 appearances

Bayer Leverkusen - 162; Bayern Munich - 144

Signed from FC Nurnberg, Robert Kovac arrived in Leverkusen at the same time as his brother, Niko, and remained with the club for five years, where Die Werkself finished runner-up in the Bundesliga on three occasions.

The central defender reunited with his sibling in 2001 as the pair were purchased by Bayern Munich, with Kovac going on to win two Bundesliga titles and claim two DFB Pokal successes.

Michael Ballack - 312 appearances

Bayern Munich - 157; Bayer Leverkusen - 155

Arguably one of the most underappreciated midfielders of a generation, Michael Ballack rose to prominence during Kaiserslautern's phenomenal 1997/98 Bundesliga success, which subsequently earned a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Ballack spent three years in the North Rhine-Westphalia prior to a £10.5m switch to Bayern Munich, where he completed three domestic doubles before joining Chelsea in 2006.

The box-to-box midfielder returned to Leverkusen in 2010, remaining with the club until his retirement in 2012.

Lucio - 340 appearances

Bayern Munich - 218; Bayer Leverkusen - 122

Lucio ventured into Europe in January 2001 as he completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen and the central defender helped the club to compete for major honours, including the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League where he scored in the final defeat to Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich prised the Brazilian from the BayArena in 2004 and he amassed over 200 appearances for the Bavarian giants, winning three Bundesliga titles before departing for Inter in 2009.

Hans-Jorg Butt - 354 appearances

Bayer Leverkusen - 263; Bayern Munich - 91

One of only four goalkeepers to have scored in the UEFA Champions League, Hans-Jorg Butt joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hamburger SV on a free transfer in 2001 and established himself as Die Werkself's number one.

Sandwiched between his stints at Leverkusen and Bayern Munich was an unfruitful year with Portuguese outfit Benfica before Butt headed back to Germany following Oliver Kahn's retirement.

The goalkeeper stayed at Bayern for four years before retiring in 2012.

Ze Roberto - 398 appearances

Bayern Munich - 248; Bayer Leverkusen - 150

Ze Roberto joined Bayer Leverkusen from Flamengo in 1998 and was an immediate hit, despite the club's failure to get over the line in numerous competitions.

Bayern Munich came calling four years later for a reported fee of €12 million and the Brazilian remained in Bavaria for four years, winning three Bundesliga titles before heading back to Brazil.

Ze Roberto then returned to Bayern on a two-year loan deal from Nacional in 2007, adding another Bundesliga and DFB Pokal medal to his collection in the 2007/08 campaign.