Poor Bella-Kotchap is considered one of the great talents in German football. The central defender from VfL Bochum is now facing a change.
Bundesliga club VfL Bochum loses top talent Armel Bella Kotchap, but can probably look forward to a record fee. The U21 international is moving to FC Southampton with head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl. VfL did not provide any information on the change modalities, but according to English media reports at least ten million euros should flow to Bochum.
This would make the German U21 international the most expensive departure in Bochum club history. The club’s previous record transfer from the Revier was Theofanis Gekas. The Greek striker joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2007 for a transfer fee of 4.7 million euros.
“Every young player dreams of playing in the Premier League,” said 20-year-old Bella Kotchap. “The fact that the coach showed so much interest in me and also spoke my language had a big impact.” Former Bundesliga coach Hasenhüttl said: “Armel has huge potential.”
The central defender is considered one of the greatest German talents in his position and played 22 Bundesliga games for the first division team last season. He has signed a four-year contract with the “Saints” from the English port city.
After Maxim Leitsch (Mainz 05), Sebastian Polter (FC Schalke 04), Robert Tesche (VfL Osnabrück) and Milos Pantovic (Union Berlin), the 20-year-old would be the fifth bitter departure for VfL, who before their second year in the Bundesliga stands.