Bundesliga Farewell: Kossounou Ditches Leverkusen for Bergamo Finale
No Go Back to Leverkusen: Kossounou Stays with Bergamo (Alternative Wordings: Kossounou's Leverkusen Absence Continues; Kossounou's Bergamo Residence Persists despite Leverkusen; Leverkusen Rejection for Kossounou; No More Leverkusen for Kossounou, Holds Bergamo Residency). - No Return to Bayer Leverkusen: Kossounou's Stint in Bergamo Continues
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Defender Odilon Kossounou is bidding Bundesliga adieu and hanging onto his good times with Bergamo. The Ivory Coast international is sticking it out with Italian powerhouse Atalanta Bergamo, who nabbed him for a reported €25 million price tag this season. Previously, Kossounou was tied to Bayer Leverkusen until 2026, but those days are done.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's sporting director, weighed in on Kossounou's impact with the team:
But where does Kossounou find his true calling? Here's the scoop on why he's waiving goodbye to Germany and embracing the sweet Italian life.
Warm Bergamo Welcome
Odilon's game shined on the sunny fields of Bergamo during his loan spell, making 23 appearances across all competitions. This divine success may have secured his place in the team as a beloved member [2][3].
At Home in Atalanta
Leverkusen's sporting director hinted at Kossounou's seamless integration into the Bergamo crew. Could this sense of belonging and camaraderie be the secret sauce for his decision to stay? [1][3]
Aiming High
The career-defining chance to develop and test his talents in the demanding Serie A environment seems tempting to Kossounou. He'll be conquering new hurdles and fueling Atalanta's quest for both domestic honors and European triumphs [4].
Golden Berta's Big Bet
This sizable €23 million investment from Atalanta indicates their confidence in Kossounou's future and their long-term vision for the young powerhouse [2]. Perhaps they sense a champion in the making or maybe they're just crazy about his skills [4][5].
A Leap for Personal Growth
Maybe there's more to the story behind Kossounou's departure from Leverkusen. Rumors swirled in the summer of 2024 that a dispute with the coach may have prompted his exit [4].
It's time to witness Kossounou’s latest chapter unfold as he embarks on his adventure with Atalanta Bergamo Calcio! Grazie e buona fortuna, amico!
Sources:
- SoccerWay - Kossounou Bids Leverkusen Farewell
- Transfermarkt - Kossounou's Transfer Value
- ESPN - Bergamo's Success Story
- Calcio Mercato - Kossounou's Choice
- Sport Witness - The Fallout at Leverkusen
- In his pursuit for growth and new challenges, Kossounou decided to trade the verdant fields of Germany for the vibrantcity of Bergamo, hoping to secure a spot in the demanding Serie A and contribute to Atalanta's campaign for both domestic honors and European triumphs.
- As the Ivory Coast international embraces his Italian life, the warm welcome from the Bergamo community, along with his camaraderie with the teammates, might have played a significant role in his decision to leave Leverkusen and commit to Atalanta Bergamo Calcio long-term.