Ivory Coast's Odilon Kossounou Joins Atalanta from Bayer Leverkusen

Ivory Coast defender Odilon Kossounou has transferred to Italian club Atalanta from Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga club swiftly signed Nordi Mukiele on loan from Paris Saint-Germain as Kossounou's replacement. Kossounou played 73 Bundesliga matches and was instrumental in Leverkusen's recent successes.

Ivory Coast defender Odilon Kossounou has made a high-profile move to Italian club Atalanta, transferring from Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen acted quickly to fill the gap, bringing in Nordi Mukiele on loan from Paris Saint-Germain as Kossounou's replacement. The Bundesliga club stated that the 5.5 million euro ($6 million) loan deal comes with an option for Atalanta to buy for 25 million euros ($28 million) at the season's end.

Kossounou, a key player in Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations win, also helped Leverkusen clinch their first-ever Bundesliga title. He leaves a formidable legacy with 73 Bundesliga appearances.

(With inputs from agencies.)