Football: Bayer Leverkusen sign World Cup defender Guéla Doué until 2031

Bayer Leverkusen have filled a gap on the right side of their defense by signing Ivory Coast international Guéla Doué from Racing Strasbourg. The 24-year-old agreed to a contract running until summer 2031, the Bundesliga club said about an hour before the transfer window closed.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes described the move as a major reinforcement at right-back. “With the signing of Guéla Doué, we have strengthened ourselves excellently in the right-back position. We can look forward to a high-class new addition who fits our squad extremely well,” he said.

Doué, the younger brother of France attacking star Désiré Doué, said he was eager to join the squad. “The team is talented and has so many good footballers. I am incredibly excited to play with these guys,” he said. Rolfes praised the defender as mobile and quick, with very good technique.

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With the signing of Guéla Doué, we have strengthened ourselves excellently in the right-back position. We can look forward to a high-class new addition who fits our squad extremely well.

Media reports said Leverkusen would pay Strasbourg about 30 million euros up front. Bonuses could lift the total to as much as 36 million euros, although the club did not disclose official financial details. Doué came through the academy at Rennes before joining Strasbourg in summer 2024. He made 69 appearances for the French club, which reached the Conference League semifinals last season.

At international level, Doué played all four of Ivory Coast’s matches at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He also featured in the team’s late 2-1 group-stage defeat by Germany.

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The team is talented and has so many good footballers. I am incredibly excited to play with these guys.