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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
“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.
TRANSFER NEWS
Defender Odilon Kossounou has joined the Werkself on a five-year deal! pic.twitter.com/r32ioN0nik
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) July 22, 2021
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