Armel Bella-Kotchap
{{short description|German footballer (born 2001)}}
{{use British English |date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Armel Bella-Kotchap
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Armel Bella-Kotchap{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2786707 |title=2022/23 Premier League squad lists |publisher=Premier League |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=23 September 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2001|12|11}}
| birth_place = Paris, France
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Southampton
| clubnumber = 37
| youthyears1 = 2005–2009
| youthclubs1 = Rot Weiss Ahlen
| youthyears2 = 2009–2012
| youthclubs2 = SC Grimlinghausen
| youthyears3 = 2012–2015
| youthclubs3 = Borussia Mönchengladbach
| youthyears4 = 2015–2016
| youthclubs4 = SG Unterrath
| youthyears5 = 2016–2017
| youthclubs5 = MSV Duisburg
| youthyears6 = 2017–2020
| youthclubs6 = VfL Bochum
| years1 = 2018–2022
| clubs1 = VfL Bochum
| caps1 = 66
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2022–
| clubs2 = Southampton
| caps2 = 28
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = → PSV (loan)
| caps3 = 4
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2024
| clubs4 = → Jong PSV (loan)
| caps4 = 3
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam1 = Germany U18
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2020
| nationalteam2 = Germany U20
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2021–
| nationalteam3 = Germany U21
| nationalcaps3 = 9
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2022
| nationalteam4 = Germany
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 18:08, 15 March 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 18:55, 16 November 2022 (UTC)
}}
Armel Bella-Kotchap (born 11 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|Southamp}} club Southampton. Born in France, he played for the Germany national team.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/armel-bella-kotchap/ |title=Armel Bella-Kotchap |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=23 May 2021}}
Club career
= VfL Bochum =
In July 2018, Bella-Kotchap joined VfL Bochum professional team 2018–19 summer training camp.{{Cite web|title=Tag 5 in Weiler: Neue Gesichter|language=German|date=10 July 2018|publisher=VfL Bochum|url=https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/tag-5-in-weiler-neue-gesichter/|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428111752/https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/tag-5-in-weiler-neue-gesichter/|url-status=dead}} In March 2019, Bella-Kotchap signed his first professional contract with VfL Bochum.{{cite news |location=Bochum |url=https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/profivertraege-fuer-talentwerk-trio/ |title=Profiverträge für Talentwerk-Trio |trans-title=Professional contracts for Talentwerk trio |publisher=VfL Bochum |date=3 March 2019 |access-date=28 April 2019 |language=German |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428112408/https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/profivertraege-fuer-talentwerk-trio/ |archive-date=28 April 2019}} He made his professional debut for Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga on 28 April 2019, starting in the away match against Erzgebirge Aue.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/2-bundesliga-2018-2019-erzgebirge-aue-vfl-bochum/ |title=Erzgebirge Aue – VfL Bochum -:- (2. Bundesliga 2018/2019, 31. Round) |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |date=28 April 2019 |access-date=28 April 2019}}
= Southampton =
On 21 June 2022, Bella-Kotchap joined Southampton on a four-year deal,{{Cite web |date=21 June 2022 |title=Bella-Kotchap becomes a Saint |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-06-21/announcement-armel-bella-kotchap-signing-southampton-football-club-21-june-2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=Southampton FC}} for a fee estimated at 10 million euros.{{cite web |title=Armel Bella-Kotchap: Southampton sign defender from Bundesliga club Bochum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61888603 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 June 2022 |date=21 June 2022}} Having established himself as a regular starter at centre-back, Bella-Kotchap dislocated his shoulder in a collision during the 1–1 draw with West Ham United on 16 October. As a result, he was expected to be out of action for several weeks.{{cite web |title=Bella-Kotchap injury 'definitely a loss for us' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cpr7ewyp4pyo |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 October 2022 |date=18 October 2022}} He returned from injury on 6 November in a 4–1 home defeat against Newcastle United.{{Cite web |last=Jurejko |first=Jonathan |date=6 November 2022 |title=Southampton 1–4 Newcastle United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63443730 |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} On 4 January 2023, Bella-Kotchap tweaked his knee during the first half of a 1–0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest and was expected to be injured for a matter of weeks.{{Cite web |last=House |first=Alfie |date=7 January 2023 |title=Bella-Kotchap injury severity confirmed + reason for Armstrong absence |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23235504.bella-kotchap-injury-severity-confirmed-reason-armstrong-absence/ |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=Southern Daily Echo}} Bella-Kotchap dislocated his shoulder again during a 3–3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 18 March 2023.{{Cite web |last=House |first=Alfie |date=19 March 2023 |title=Bella-Kotchap waiting on specialist to learn extent of shoulder injury |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23397212.bella-kotchap-waiting-specialist-learn-extent-shoulder-injury/ |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=Southern Daily Echo}}
== PSV (loan) ==
On 1 September 2023, Bella-Kotchap joined Eredivisie side PSV on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |date=1 September 2023 |title=Bella-Kotchap joins PSV on loan |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/bella-kotchap-joins-psv-on-loan |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=Southampton FC}} He made his professional debut for the club on 16 September 2023 in a 4–0 victory against NEC.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2023 |title=PSV 4–0 NEC |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/675358 |access-date=12 October 2023 |publisher=ESPN}} Four days later, Bella-Kotchap made his first Champions League appearance in a 4–0 defeat to Arsenal.{{Cite web |last=Unwin |first=Will |date=20 September 2023 |title=Arsenal 4–0 PSV |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/sep/20/arsenal-v-psv-eindhoven-champions-league-live |access-date=12 October 2023 |website=The Guardian}} In October 2023, he suffered a shoulder injury and was expected to be sidelined until the end of year.{{Cite web |last=Rees-Julian |first=George |date=30 October 2023 |title=Southampton's Bella-Kotchap reportedly out for the rest of the year |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23887909.southamptons-bella-kotchap-reportedly-rest-year/#:~:text=LOANED%2DOUT%20Saints%20defender%20Armel,another%20shoulder%20injury%20at%20PSV. |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=Southern Daily Echo}}
International career
Bella-Kotchap began his youth international career with the Germany under-18 team, making his debut on 15 November 2018 in a friendly match against Cyprus, which finished as a 1–0 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/u18-h-freundschaft-2018-november-zypern-deutschland/ |title=Cyprus – Germany 0:1 (U18 Friendlies 2018, November) |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |date=15 November 2018 |access-date=28 April 2019}}
On 15 September 2022, Bella-Kotchap was included in the German senior squad for the first time.{{Cite web |title=Southampton's Armel Bella-Kotchap earns first Germany call-up {{!}} Daily Echo |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/21604313.amp/ |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=www.dailyecho.co.uk|date=15 September 2022 }} He made his debut as a late substitute on 26 September in a 3–3 draw with England.{{cite web |title=Bella-Kotchap makes international bow |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-09-26/international-report-armel-bella-kotchap-england-germany-26-september-2022 |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=27 September 2022 |date=26 September 2022}} In November 2022, he was selected in the German squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/flick-beruft-moukoko-fuellkrug-und-goetze-in-wm-kader-245974/|title=Flick beruft Moukoko, Füllkrug und Götze in WM-Kader|publisher=German Football Association|date=10 November 2022|access-date=10 November 2022|language=de}}
Personal life
Bella-Kotchap was born in Paris, France, and is the son of former Cameroon international Cyrille Florent Bella.{{cite news |location=Weiler-Simmerberg |url=https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/tag-5-in-weiler-neue-gesichter/ |title=Tag 5 in Weiler: Neue Gesichter |trans-title=Day 5 in Weiler: New faces |publisher=VfL Bochum |date=10 July 2018 |access-date=28 April 2019 |language=German |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428111752/https://www.vfl-bochum.de/news/uebersicht/profis/tag-5-in-weiler-neue-gesichter/ |archive-date=28 April 2019}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/armel-bella-kotchap/563527/ |title=Germany – A. Bella-Kotchap – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=2 September 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|VfL Bochum
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20
|2. Bundesliga |12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21
|2. Bundesliga |28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | |||
| 2021–22
|22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!66 | 1 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 74 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Southampton
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|118647|2022|access-date=18 October 2022}} |24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|118647|2023|access-date=4 August 2023}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|118647|2024|access-date=28 August 2024}}
|Premier League |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 0 | ||
| PSV (loan)
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Jong PSV (loan)
|3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!101 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 114 | 1 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 16 November 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Germany | |||
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 2 | 0 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase|id=118647|name=Armel Kotchap}}
- {{DFB|armel-bella-kotchap}}
- {{kicker|armel-bella-kotchap}}
- {{Soccerway|armel-bella-kotchap/563527}}
{{Southampton F.C. squad}}
{{Germany squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bella-Kotchap, Armel}}
Category:Footballers from Paris
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Cameroonian emigrants to Germany
Category:German people of Cameroonian descent
Category:Naturalized citizens of Germany
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:PSV Eindhoven players
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Germany men's youth international footballers
Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Germany men's international footballers
Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players
Category:German expatriate men's footballers
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England