Eboue Kouassi

Jules Christ Eboue Kouassi (born 13 December 1997) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria.

Club career

Early career

Kouassi played for Académie Symbiose Foot d'Abobo in the Ivory Coast before moving to Armenian club Shirak in early 2014. In the summer of 2014 he joined the youth system of Russian club Krasnodar.

Krasnodar

In December 2015, Kouassi signed a new contract with Krasnodar. Kouassi made his debut for Krasnodar on 21 May 2016, in a 1–0 victory against Amkar Perm in the Russian Premier League. He became a regular the following season, 2016–17, playing in a total of 18 matches by the end of December 2016 and helping his side to fifth place in the league. During this time, Kouassi also scored his first goal; opening the scoring in a 3–0 win over Maltese side Birkirkara in a UEFA Europa League tie on 4 August 2016.

Celtic

On 3 January 2017, it was reported that Scottish Premiership club Celtic had agreed a transfer fee of around £3 million with Krasnodar to sign Eboue Kouassi. Celtic announced the signing of Kouassi on a four-year-contract, subject to obtaining a visa, on 12 January 2017.

Kouassi made 22 first-team appearances for Celtic in his first three years with the club. He was loaned to Belgian club Genk in January 2020.

Genk

Kouassi signed for Genk on 1 July 2020, for €1.5 million.

Arouca

On 31 August 2021, Kouassi was loaned to Arouca. On 7 July 2023, Arouca announced the free signing of Kouassi on a free transfer, with the player signing a two-year deal.

União de Leiria

On 4 February 2025, Kouassi signed with Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria until the end of the season.

International career

Kouassi was called up to the Ivory Coast national team for the first time in November 2016, for a 2018 World Cup qualification match against Morocco and a friendly against France. However, he was an unused substitute in both matches.