Who are Jeyland Mitchell and Karim Coulibaly, Strasbourg’s new centre-backs? | OneFootball

Strasbourg have reinforced at centre-back with two arrivals. Costa Rica international Jeyland Mitchell joins from Sturm Graz on a five-year deal for €eight million, while Germany Under-21 defender Karim Coulibaly arrives from Werder Bremen for €20m.

L'Équipe notes that since BlueCo took charge in 2023, Strasbourg have been hyperactive in both departures and arrivals.

Mitchell, 21, is a right-footed stopper with 25 caps and two goals who shone in a 0-0 against Brazil at the Copa América. In July 2024 he left Alajuelense for Feyenoord for €two and a half million after earlier spells with Liberia, Limon and Guanacasteca.

Unable to settle in the Netherlands, he was loaned to Sturm Graz in September 2025 and thrived with his power and aggression. He played 26 times last season, then all four Champions League qualifiers this summer, scoring and assisting in the 4-0 win over Heart of Midlothian, so arrives in Alsace sharp.

Coulibaly, 19, has one Germany Under-21 cap earned in a 3-0 win against Northern Ireland. He completed pre-season with Werder, having joined free in 2024 after developing at Hamburg.

He broke through in the Bundesliga last season, making 27 appearances, 24 as a starter, and scoring once. A tall, left-footed defender comfortable in build-up and line-breaking, he also carries the ball and attracted interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Source: L'Équipe

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