Jules Olivier Koundé (Paris, November 12, 1998) is a French footballer who plays as a defender for F.C. Barcelona of the Spanish Primera División. He is an international with the French national football team.

Club Career

Early Days in Bordeaux

Koundé, of Beninese descent, was born in Paris, though from his youth he played for small clubs in towns near Bordeaux, such as Landiras and La Brède. After joining Girondins de Bordeaux at 14 years old and playing for the second team, he finally moved up to the first team in 2018.

He made his debut on January 7, 2018, in a Coupe de France match against Granville, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Bordeaux club after extra time. In his second season, he increased his minutes at the club, playing ten UEFA Europa League matches.

Time at Sevilla

On July 3, 2019, Koundé transferred to Sevilla F.C. after signing a contract until 2024 for 25 million euros, becoming the most expensive signing in the history of the Sevillian club. In his first season with the Hispalenses, he managed to win the UEFA Europa League.

Kounde to Barcelona

On July 28, 2022, F.C. Barcelona announced a preliminary agreement with Sevilla F.C. for his transfer. The following day, the signing was made official, and he signed for five years.

He had to wait a month to debut due to problems with his registration; he did so on the third matchday of the league championship against Real Valladolid C.F. He won the title on May 14, the same day he scored his first goal as a Blaugrana in the derby against R.C.D. Espanyol.

On April 26, 2025, Koundé scored the winning goal in extra time of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid C.F., securing the title for F.C. Barcelona.

National Team

After having been an international for France at youth levels, Jules Koundé debuted with the senior national team on June 2, 2021, in a friendly against Wales, which the French won 3-0. A few days earlier, he had been called up to participate in Euro 2020.