Bayer Leverkusen complete Doué signing

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Côte d’Ivoire international Guéla Doué from Racing Strasbourg. 

The 23-year-old defender has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Bundesliga club that will keep him at the BayArena until 2031.

Die Werkself are understood to be paying an initial fee of €30 million for the right-back, with the total package capable of rising to €37.5 million once various performance-related bonuses are triggered. 

The deal strengthens Leverkusen’s options in the defensive ranks and reflects the club’s ambition to build on recent domestic and European progress.

Bayer 04 managing director of sport Simon Rolfes described the arrival as an excellent addition to the squad at right-back.

 He added that supporters could look forward to a top-class new signing who fitted perfectly into the existing group of players.

Guéla Doué, older brother of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Désiré Doué, reflected on his time in France before looking ahead to the next chapter of his career. 

He said that he had enjoyed two wonderful years at Racing Strasbourg but now wanted to make the move to the Bundesliga and join a club that had really impressed him during discussions. 

Doué went on to note that the Leverkusen team was talented and had many good players, adding that he was very much looking forward to playing alongside his new teammates.

The transfer marks another significant piece of business for Leverkusen as they continue to reshape the squad. 

Doué arrives with experience of regular first-team football in Ligue 1 and international recognition with Côte d’Ivoire. 

At 23, he still has considerable scope for further development, and the five-year-plus length of his new contract underlines the long-term faith the club has placed in him. 

Fans will hope the versatile defender can settle quickly and contribute to both domestic campaigns and European competition in the seasons ahead. 

The move also highlights Leverkusen’s ability to attract emerging talent from across Europe while competing against bigger-spending clubs for high-quality reinforcements.