Owen Kouassi

Christ-Owen Kouassi Bathele is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Laval on loan from Italian club Lecce. Born in France, he is a youth international for the Ivory Coast.

Club career

Laval

Kouassi is a product of the youth academies of ESD Montreuil, US Fontenay, and Laval. On 30 June 2024, he signed his first professional contract with Laval until 2027. He made his senior and professional debut with Laval in a 2–1 Ligue 2 loss to Grenoble on 16 August 2024.

Lecce

On 29 June 2025, Kouassi signed a 4-year contract with Serie A club Lecce.
On 1 February 2026, Kouassi returned to Laval on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season.

International career

Born in France, Kouassi is of Ivorian descent. On 27 May 2025, he was called up to the Ivory Coast U23s for a friendly. He debuted with the Ivory Coast U23s in a friendly 3–0 loss to the Netherlands U23s on 6 June 2025.