Guela Doue: Leverkusen sign Ivory Coast and France defender from Strasbourg for €30m

Ivory Coast and France right-back Guela Doue has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Strasbourg for €30m, completing his move from Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga.

The 23-year-old has signed a contract with Leverkusen running until 30 June 2031. Doue, who stands 1.87m tall and favours his right foot, arrives after two seasons with Strasbourg.

Doue joined Strasbourg from Stade Rennais on 26 July 2024 for €6m. He had developed through Rennes’ youth system, moving from the club’s under-17 side to their under-19 team before progressing to Rennes B and then the senior squad.

His move to Leverkusen comes after a brief start to the 2026-27 Ligue 1 campaign. Doue made one appearance for Strasbourg, playing 90 minutes, before switching clubs on 1 September 2026.

The defender has also featured in four World Cup 2026 matches, starting three of them and playing 77% of the available minutes. He received one yellow card and did not score or provide an assist in those fixtures.

Doue’s transfer fee is €10m higher than his listed €20m market value. His arrival gives Leverkusen a young right-back with experience in French football and international tournament competition.

Leverkusen, whose senior side is listed under the name Bayer 04 Leverkusen, have secured Doue’s services on a deal that keeps him at the German club through the end of June 2031. The transfer was completed on 1 September 2026, with Strasbourg his previous club and Leverkusen his new team.

Doue began his football education at Rennes Jugend before progressing through Rennes’ academy structure. He made his senior move to Rennes B in 2020 and joined Stade Rennais’ first team in 2022, laying the foundation for his later transfer to Strasbourg.

The defender now leaves France after making the move from Strasbourg to Leverkusen for €30m and has committed his future to the Bundesliga club until 2031.