Bayer Leverkusen sign Kossounou – Belgian record departure

By


Transfer done! 

It is now done. Bayer Leverkusen have signed Odilon Kossounou. The 20-year-old center-back arrives from Club Brugge and has signed a deal until 2026. Die Werkself announced the deal officially on Thursday. According to a report by Het Laatste Nieuws Leverkusen will pay in the region of €30 million—a record deal for any outgoing transfer from the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Het Nieuwsblad also reported a fee of around €30 million, including €5 million in bonuses. Bild believes that the fee is slightly lower, around €24 million without bonuses. 

The transfer is a reaction to Leverkusen losing players on transfers, bans, and injuries, which have created a big hole in the club’s defense. It is the second-highest fee in Bayer’s history—the only player, who was more expensive is Kerem Demirbay; he joined the club for €32 million from 1899 Hoffenheim in 2019/20.  

David, Kossounou & Co.: Jupiler Pro League record departures

11 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Fee: €18m

&copy TM/imago images

From KRC Genk to Lazio (2015/16)

10 Aleksandar Mitrovic – Fee: €18.5m

&copy imago images

From RSC Anderlecht to Newcastle United (2015/16)

9 Leandro Trossard – Fee: €20m

&copy TM/imago images

From KRC Genk to Brighton & Hove (2019/20)

8 Marouane Fellaini – Fee: €21.76m

&copy Getty Images

From Standard Liege to Everton (2008/09)

7 Victor Osimhen – Fee: €22.4m

&copy imago images

From RSC Charleroi to LOSC Lille (2019/20)

6 Sander Berge – Fee: €23m

&copy imago images

From KRC Genk to Sheffield Utd. (2019/20)

4 Youri Tielemans – Fee: €25m

&copy imago images

From RSC Anderlecht to AS Monaco (2017/18)

&copy imago images

From Club Brugge to Aston Villa (2019/20)

3 Jérémy Doku – Fee: €26m

&copy imago images

From RSC Anderlecht to Stade Rennes (2020/21)

2 Jonathan David – Fee: €27m

&copy imago images

From KAA Gent to LOSC Lille (2020/21)

1 Odilon Kossounou – Fee: €30m

&copy imago images

From Club Brugge zu Bayer Leverkusen (2021/22)

“Odilon Kossounou has made a rapid development as a really young player in the past two years in Belgium,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes in a club statement. “He still hasn’t exhausted his full potential. Odilon has everything to be able to play an important role in our team in the future.” Added Kossounou: “I’m happy the transfer to Bayer 04 has gone through. The two years at Brugge were great above all, of course, because of the two league titles we won. “But the Bundesliga is something completely different. I want to show at Leverkusen that I am a top player at this level and that I can help the team.”

Kossounou sale: Club Brugge with significant transfer revenue

Club Brugge have generated significant transfer revenue by selling Kossounou. In 2019 the Belgian club paid €4 million to sign the defender from Swedish club Hammarby IF. Kossounou had played just nine games for the club. The 20-year-old has played six games for the Ivorian national team and 55 games for Brugge (one goal, two assists). Also capable of playing in midfield, Kossounou is among the most valuable center-backs aged 20 or below in the world.



Homepage

 





Source link

Share This Article