Atalanta have offically secured the services of Odilon Kossounou on a loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen, with an option to make the transfer permanent. The 23-year-old Ivorian defender joins the Italian side after a successful season that saw him lift both the Bundesliga title and the CAF African Cup of Nations.
Kossounou began his professional journey with Swedish club Hammarby in 2019. His talent quickly caught the eye of Belgian giants Club Bruges, where he enjoyed a successful spell, winning two consecutive league titles and a Belgian Super Cup. During his time in Belgium, Kossounou gained valuable experience in European competitions, featuring in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
In 2021, Kossounou made the move to the Bundesliga, joining Bayer Leverkusen. Over three seasons with Die Schwarzroten, he amassed an impressive 102 appearances across all competitions. His time at Leverkusen was marked by significant achievements, including the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title and a DFB-Pokal triumph. Kossounou also played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s journey to the 2023/24 Europa League final, where they faced none other than his new club, Atalanta.
Kossounou’s talents extend to the international stage, where he has become a key figure for the Ivory Coast national team. Since making his debut in October 2020, he has earned 24 caps for Les Éléphants. His crowning achievement came in February 2024 when he started in the final of the CAF African Cup of Nations, helping Ivory Coast secure a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
