Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap has completed a season-long loan move to Serie A club Hellas Verona, with the Italian side holding an option to make the deal permanent.
Bella-Kotchap, who is of Cameroonian heritage but represents Germany internationally, will look to revive his career in Italy after a difficult spell at St. Mary’s.
The 23-year-old arrived at Southampton from Bundesliga outfit Bochum in 2022 for a reported £8.6 million and quickly made an impression.
His early performances in the Premier League earned him a Germany debut against England in September 2022 and a call-up to the World Cup squad in Qatar.
However, his trajectory stalled soon after. Bella-Kotchap made only limited appearances following his debut season and has struggled to establish himself since.
After Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League in 2023, he was sent on loan to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven for the 2023-24 campaign, where he gained valuable minutes but did not fully rediscover his early form.
Returning to the south coast last season, the centre-back managed just five appearances as Southampton’s struggles continued, culminating in another relegation setback.
The fresh move to Verona signals a new chapter in his career, providing an opportunity to re-establish himself in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues.
For Hellas Verona, Bella-Kotchap offers both top-level experience and potential resale value. The club opened their Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Udinese, and the German international is expected to add depth and physicality to their backline.
