Official: Verona sign Bella-Kotchap from Southampton in potentially permanent deal | OneFootball

Hellas Verona have officially announced the signing of German defender Armel Bella-Kotchap on loan with an option to buy from EFL Championship side Southampton.

Official: Verona land Bella-Kotchap deal with Southampton

As Football Italia reported on Tuesday, Verona completed a successful hijack of a deal between the Southampton defender and Ligue 1 side Nantes, and now he is on the ground in Italy and ready to begin work with his new teammates.

Verona have announced that they have acquired Bella-Kotchap on an initial loan deal, which also includes an option to buy. Reports claim that Verona will pay a fee of €500,000 for the loan deal, and will have an option to make the move permanent for an additional €7m.

Official: Hellas Verona sign Armel Blla-Kotchap on loan with an option to buy from Southampton.

The 23-year-old centre-back, also capable of covering on the right of a back four, made a total of 28 league appearances for Southampton after his €10m transfer from VfL Bochum in 2022.

All of those league appearances came in the English top flight, as he was sent out on loan deals to PSV Eindhoven in 2023-24 while Southampton were down in the Championship.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Armel Bella-Kotchap of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at St Mary’s Stadium on February 22, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

With Southampton now back in the second tier, Bella-Kotchap has secured another temporary move away from St. Mary’s, this time to Paolo Zanetti’s Verona, who currently sit in 9th place in Serie A after their opening round draw with Udinese (1-1).