# Odilon Kossounou

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Ivorian footballer (born 2001)

Odilon Kossounou Kossounou with Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 Personal information Full name Kouakou Odilon Dorgeless Kossounou Date of birth (2001-01-04) 4 January 2001 (age 25) Place of birth Abidjan, Ivory Coast Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Position Centre-back Team information Current team Atalanta Number 3 Youth career 0000–2019 ASEC Mimosas Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 2019 Hammarby IF 9 (0) 2019–2021 Club Brugge 40 (1) 2021–2025 Bayer Leverkusen 73 (1) 2024–2025 → Atalanta (loan) 18 (0) 2025– Atalanta 19 (1) International career‡ 2020– Ivory Coast 36 (0) Medal record Representing Ivory Coast Men's football Africa Cup of Nations Winner 2023 Ivory Coast * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:42, 10 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:41, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

**Kouakou Odilon Dorgeless Kossounou** ([\[ɔdilɔ̃ kɔsunu\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/French); born 4 January 2001), better known as **Odilon Kossounou**, is an [Ivorian](/source/Ivory_Coast) professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who plays as a [centre-back](/source/Centre-back) for [Serie A](/source/Serie_A) club [Atalanta](/source/Atalanta_BC) and the [Ivory Coast national team](/source/Ivory_Coast_national_football_team).

## Club career

### Early career

Kossounou started his career in the academy of [ASEC Mimosas](/source/ASEC_Mimosas) in [Abidjan](/source/Abidjan). After having been discovered at the youth tournament [Gothia Cup](/source/Gothia_Cup) in 2016, he was first invited to train with Swedish [Allsvenskan](/source/Allsvenskan) club [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). He went on to visit the club on numerous occasions throughout the next few years.[1][2][3][4]

### Hammarby IF

On 11 January 2019, shortly after his 18th birthday, Kossounou signed a four-year contract with Hammarby.[5] He made his competitive debut for the club on 18 February, in the main domestic cup [Svenska Cupen](/source/Svenska_Cupen), providing an assist to Mats Solhem in a 3–0 win against [Varbergs BoIS](/source/Varbergs_BoIS).[6] Kossounou went on to make nine league appearances in Allsvenskan for the club, most notably being voted man of the match in a 2–2 home draw against [IFK Norrköping](/source/IFK_Norrk%C3%B6ping).[7] On 8 May 2019, Hammarby reached an agreement with Belgian side [Club Brugge](/source/Club_Brugge_KV) for the transfer of Kossonou, effective on 1 July the same year.[8] The club received a record-breaking fee for the player, reportedly for a fee of around €4 million (or 44 million SEK) that could rise higher subject to bonuses, plus a 10 percent sell-on clause.[9][10]

### Club Brugge

On 1 July 2019, Kossounou completed his transfer to [Club Brugge](/source/Club_Brugge_KV). In his first [season](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Club_Brugge_KV_season) at the club, Kossounou picked up a league winner's medal as Club Brugge were declared champions in April 2020 with the [Pro League](/source/Belgian_First_Division_A) being cut short by the [COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Belgium).[11]

### Bayer Leverkusen

On 22 July 2021, Kossounou joined [Bundesliga](/source/Bundesliga) club [Bayer Leverkusen](/source/Bayer_04_Leverkusen) on a five-year deal for a reported €23 million fee.[12]

### Atalanta

On 28 August 2024, Kossounou joined [Atalanta](/source/Atalanta_BC) in Italy on loan with an option to buy.[13] On 14 June 2025, after his loan ended, Atalanta decided to buy Kossounou, signing a four-year contract with the Italian club.[14]

## International career

Kossounou debuted with the [Ivory Coast national team](/source/Ivory_Coast_national_football_team) in a 1–1 friendly draw with [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) on 8 October 2020.[15]

Kossounou was a member of the Ivory Coast's squad for the [2021 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2021_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) and made two appearances, starting once in a 3–1 win over [Algeria](/source/Algeria_national_football_team) in the [group stage](/source/2021_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_Group_E)[16]

In December 2023, Kossounou was named in the Ivory Coast's squad for the [2023 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2023_Africa_Cup_of_Nations).[17][18] He went on to start three games, including the [final](/source/2023_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_final) where [Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast_national_football_team) won against [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) by a score of 2–1.

## Playing style

Kossounou prevalently plays primarily as [centre-back](/source/Centre-back) but can also play as a [right-back](/source/Right-back), and excels in his tackling: his long limbs and the excellent timing of his interventions gives him one of the highest tackle success ratios in Europe.[19]

## Outside football

In 2020, Kossounou was the subject of a TV-documentary on Swedish television titled "Det vackra spelet" (The beautiful game), that for three years followed him on his transfer to Hammarby and then on to Club Brugge.[20]

## Career statistics

### Club

- *As of match played 10 May 2026*[21]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Hammarby IF 2019 Allsvenskan 9 0 4 0 — — 13 0 Club Brugge 2019–20 Belgian Pro League 7 0 1 0 4[b] 0 — 12 0 2020–21 Belgian Pro League 33 1 2 0 7[c] 0 — 42 1 2021–22 Belgian Pro League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 1 0 Total 40 1 3 0 11 0 1 0 55 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2021–22 Bundesliga 27 0 1 0 5[e] 0 — 33 0 2022–23 Bundesliga 24 0 1 0 10[f] 0 — 35 0 2023–24 Bundesliga 22 1 4 0 8[e] 0 — 34 1 Total 73 1 6 0 23 0 — 102 1 Atalanta (loan) 2024–25 Serie A 18 0 0 0 4[g] 0 1[h] 0 23 0 Atalanta 2025–26 Serie A 19 1 3 0 10[g] 0 — 32 1 Atalanta total 37 1 3 0 14 0 1 0 55 1 Career total 159 3 16 0 48 0 2 0 225 3

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Includes [Svenska Cupen](/source/Svenska_Cupen), [Belgian Cup](/source/Belgian_Cup), [DFB-Pokal](/source/DFB-Pokal), [Coppa Italia](/source/Coppa_Italia)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Two appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), two appearances in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Appearance in [Belgian Super Cup](/source/Belgian_Super_Cup)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UEL_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UEL_26-1) Appearances in UEFA Europa League

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UCL_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UCL_28-1) Appearances in UEFA Champions League

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Appearance in [Supercoppa Italiana](/source/Supercoppa_Italiana)

### International

- *As of match played 31 March 2026*[22]

Appearances and goals by national team and year National team Year Apps Goals Ivory Coast 2020 4 0 2021 7 0 2022 5 0 2023 2 0 2024 7 0 2025 8 0 2026 3 0 Total 36 0

## Honours

**Club Brugge**

- [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League): [2019–20](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Belgian_First_Division_A),[11] [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Belgian_First_Division_A)

- [Belgian Super Cup](/source/Belgian_Super_Cup): [2021](/source/2021_Belgian_Super_Cup)[23]

**Bayer Leverkusen**

- [Bundesliga](/source/Bundesliga): [2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Bundesliga)[24]

- [DFB-Pokal](/source/DFB-Pokal): [2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_DFB-Pokal)

- [DFL-Supercup](/source/DFL-Supercup): [2024](/source/2024_DFL-Supercup)[25]

**Ivory Coast**

- [Africa Cup of Nations](/source/Africa_Cup_of_Nations): [2023](/source/2023_Africa_Cup_of_Nations)[26]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby1_1-0)** ["Duo från Elfenbenskusten besöker Hammarby"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083751/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/duo-fran-elfenbenskusten-besoker-hammarby/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 10 April 2017. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/duo-fran-elfenbenskusten-besoker-hammarby/) on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby2_2-0)** ["Odilon och "Rooney" tillbaka i Hammarby"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202032/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-och-rooney-tillbaka-i-hammarby/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 7 January 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-och-rooney-tillbaka-i-hammarby/) on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby3_3-0)** ["Kossounou Odilon tillbaka i träning med Hammarby"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230905074545/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/kossounou-odilon-tillbaka-i-traning-med-hammarby/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 22 July 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/kossounou-odilon-tillbaka-i-traning-med-hammarby/) on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby4_4-0)** ["Odilon: En dröm att komma till Hammarby"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221109174038/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/45811/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 11 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/45811/) on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby5_5-0)** ["Kossounou Odilon på plats – avtalet påskrivet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221109175541/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-kossounou-pa-plats-avtalet-paskrivet/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 11 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-kossounou-pa-plats-avtalet-paskrivet/) on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby6_6-0)** ["Smakstart med sagoslut i cuppremiären"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210723135846/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/smakstart-med-sagoslut-i-cuppremiaren/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 19 February 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/smakstart-med-sagoslut-i-cuppremiaren/) on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hammarby7_7-0)** ["Matchens Lirare i Bajen mot Norrköping: Odilon Kossounou"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210723134343/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/matchens-lirare-i-bajen-mot-norrkoping-odilon-kossounou/) (in Swedish). [Hammarby IF](/source/Hammarby_Fotboll). 27 May 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/matchens-lirare-i-bajen-mot-norrkoping-odilon-kossounou/) on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-transfer_8-0)** ["Odilon klar för Club Brügge"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001026/https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-klar-for-club-brugge/) (in Swedish). Hammarby Fotboll. 8 May 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/odilon-klar-for-club-brugge/) on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-recordfee1_9-0)** ["Klart – Hammarby säljer backen för rekordsumma"](https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/klart-hammarby-saljer-backen-for-rekordsumma/) (in Swedish). [Expressen](/source/Expressen). 6 May 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-recordfee2_10-0)** [""Det skulle till något exceptionellt på bordet""](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/g74ad1/det-skulle-till-nagot-exceptionellt-pa-bordet) (in Swedish). [Aftonbladet](/source/Aftonbladet). 8 May 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pro_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pro_11-1) ["Dennis and Tau's Club Brugge declared Belgian champions"](https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/dennis-and-taus-club-brugge-declared-belgian-champions/x4n0saswud8514v2nc7k11xm4). *Goal*. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Bayer 04 sign Ivorian international Kossounou"](https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/bayer-04-sign-ivorian-international-kossounou). Bayer 04 Leverkusen. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["A starting XI of signings: here's Kossounou to shore up the defence"](https://en.atalanta.it/news/a-starting-xi-of-signings-here-s-kossounou-to-shore-up-the-defence). Atalanta. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Official Odilon Kossounou joins Atalanta"](https://onefootball.com/fr/news/official-odilon-kossounou-joins-atalanta-41242359). *onefootball.com*. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Belgium vs. Côte d'Ivoire – 8 October 2020 – Soccerway"](https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2020/10/08/world/friendlies/belgium/cote-divoire/3398187/). *uk.soccerway.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Afcon 2021: Holders Algeria crash out after Ivory Coast defeat"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59975483). *ESPN*. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["LA LISTE"](https://www.facebook.com/federationivoiriennedefootball/posts/pfbid02GVkTYXjhv2yBQizHRNxngTGoMrFLXgcUg3kQeXgEk3gZ158w6cxqRFjDBXCCU3ihl) (in Portuguese). [Ivorian Football Federation](/source/Ivorian_Football_Federation). 28 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024 – via [Facebook](/source/Facebook).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["CÔTE D'IVOIRE"](https://www.cafonline.com/media/ow2obxrw/c%C3%B4te-divoire.pdf) (PDF). Confederation of African Football. 5 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Wonderkids: Odilon Kossounou"](https://soccerment.com/wonderkids-odilon-kossounou/). *Soccerment*. 12 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Det vackra spelet"](https://www.svtplay.se/video/26020888/det-vackra-spelet). 22 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Odilon Kossounou](https://int.soccerway.com/players/kossonou-odilon/591862/) at Soccerway. Retrieved 9 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nft_30-0)** [Odilon Kossounou](https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/79713.html) at National-Football-Teams.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Club Brugge vs. Gent 3–2"](https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/07/17/belgium/super-cup/club-brugge-kv/krc-genk/3512452/). *Soccerway*. 17 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Bayer Leverkusen are 2023/24 Bundesliga champions!"](https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-are-2023-24-bundesliga-champions-26930). Bundesliga. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Bayer Leverkusen battle back to beat VfB Stuttgart on penalties in Supercup"](https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-vfb-stuttgart-supercup-preview-live-blog-report-alonso-28479). Bundesliga. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Stevens, Rob (11 February 2024). ["Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68196261). *BBC Sport*. Retrieved 14 February 2024.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Odilon Kossounou](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Odilon_Kossounou).

- [Odilon Kossounou](https://int.soccerway.com/players/-/591862/) at Soccerway

- [Odilon Kossounou](https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/79713.html) at National-Football-Teams.com

v t e Atalanta BC – current squad 3 Kossounou 4 Hien 5 Bakker 7 Kamaldeen 8 Pašalić 9 Scamacca 10 Samardžić 15 de Roon (c) 16 Bellanova 17 De Ketelaere 18 Raspadori 19 Djimsiti 23 Kolašinac 29 Carnesecchi 31 Rossi 42 Scalvini 47 Bernasconi 57 Sportiello 59 Zalewski 69 Ahanor 77 Zappacosta 90 Krstović Puljić Manager: Sarri

Ivory Coast squads v t e Ivory Coast squad – 2021 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Eliezer 2 Konaté 3 Konan 4 Seri 5 Kanon 6 Boly 7 Kossounou 8 Kessié 9 Zaha 10 Kouassi 11 Cornet 12 Maïga 13 Boga 14 Deli 15 Gradel 16 Gbohouo 17 Aurier 18 I. Sangaré 19 Pépé 20 Dié 21 Bailly 22 Haller 23 B. Sangaré 24 Kouamé 25 Traorè 26 Cissé 27 Akpa Akpro 28 Boli 29 Edan Coach: Beaumelle v t e Ivory Coast squad – 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winners (3rd title) 1 Y. Fofana 2 Diomande 3 Konan 4 Seri 5 Singo 6 S. Fofana 7 Kossounou 8 Kessié 9 Bamba 10 Konaté 11 Krasso 12 Boly 13 Boga 14 Diakité 15 Gradel 16 Ayayi 17 Aurier (c) 18 I. Sangaré 19 Pépé 20 Kouamé 21 Ndicka 22 Haller 23 B. Sangaré 24 Adingra 25 Doumbia 26 Diallo 27 Lazare Coach: Gasset / Faé a a Gasset was fired after the group stage and replaced by Faé. v t e Ivory Coast squad – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Y. Fofana 2 O. Diomande 3 Konan 4 Seri 5 Zohouri 6 S. Fofana 7 Kossounou 8 Kessié (c) 9 Bayo 10 Zaha 11 Krasso 12 Boly 13 Opéri 14 Diakité 15 Diallo 16 Koné 17 Doué 18 Sangaré 19 Inao Oulaï 20 Agbadou 21 Ndicka 22 Guessand 23 Lafont 24 Touré 25 Gbamin 26 Y. Diomande Coach: Faé v t e Ivory Coast squad – 2026 FIFA World Cup 1 Y. Fofana 2 O. Diomande 3 Konan 4 Seri 5 Singo 6 S. Fofana 7 Kossounou 8 Kessié (c) 9 Bonny 10 Adingra 11 Y. Diomande 12 Wahi 13 Opéri 14 Diakité 15 Diallo 16 Koné 17 Doué 18 Sangaré 19 Pépé 20 Agbadou 21 Ndicka 22 Guessand 23 Lafont 24 Touré 25 Guiagon 26 Inao Oulaï Coach: Faé

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Odilon Kossounou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odilon_Kossounou) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odilon_Kossounou?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.