Armel Bella-Kotchap

Armel Bella-Kotchap is a German centre-back born in Paris on 11 December 2001. He developed in Germany after moving through Borussia Mönchengladbach and MSV Duisburg before joining VfL Bochum at 15. Bella-Kotchap signed his first professional contract there and made his 2. Bundesliga debut in 2019. He became an important part of Bochum’s side that won promotion to the Bundesliga in 2021. Southampton signed him in 2022, and the 190-centimetre defender quickly established himself as a Premier League starter. His form brought a senior Germany call-up, and he made his international debut against England before being included in the 2022 World Cup squad. After Southampton’s relegation, Bella-Kotchap spent the 2023/24 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven and is now associated with Venezia.