New Barcelona Signing Jules Kounde Reveals NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Inspired His Mamba Goal Celebration

New Barcelona Signing Jules Kounde Reveals NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Inspired His Mamba Goal Celebration

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:08 PM
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  • Jules Kounde has revealed his goal celebration is a tribute to basketball icon Kobe Bryant who featured for the LA Lakers
  • Barcelona confirmed that they have reached an agreement to sign the Kounde for a reported fee of €60 million
  • The Blaugrana beat English Premier League side, Chelsea to his signature of the 23-year-old France international after weeks of speculation

Jules Kounde has revealed the inspiration behind his unique goal celebration after completing a deal to join Spanish giants, Barcelona on Thursday, July 28.

The Catalan giants announced the signing of the 23-year-old France international by posting an emoji of a snake, which was a reference to Kounde’s “Mamba celebration”.

Jules Kounde, Barcelona, NBA, La Liga, La Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Camp Nou, Xavi, Chelsea
Jules Kounde makes a mamba pose anytime he scores and has attributed the celebration to NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Photo by Europa Press Sports
Source: Getty Images

Kounde who has scored 9 goals in 133 games for Sevilla has now named NBA legend Kobe Bryant as the inspiration behind his goal celebration Barca Universal reports.

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The France defender acknowledged it as a tribute to the late former LA Lakers star who passed away along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in 2020.

Kobe Bryant was widely regarded as the "The Black Mamba" which is the moniker he adopted himself to distinguish his personal life from his professional life.

Jules Kounde explains Chelsea transfer snub

Meanwhile, Jules Kounde has revealed Barcelona manager, Xavi was the main reason he decided to sign for the Catalan giants and not with English Premier League side, Chelsea The Sun reports.

The 23-year-old had been a long-term target for the Blues who are still looking to patch up their defence following the summer exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Kounde will join Barcelona after the La Liga side agreed to a €60 million transfer fee with Sevilla for the France international.

Jules Kounde reacts after completing Barcelona switch

Earlier, Sports Brief reported France international Jules Kounde is set to join Barcelona after the Catalan club reached an agreement with Sevilla for his transfer.

The Blaugrana officially announced on Thursday that the big-money move is now subject to the Frenchman 'passing a medical.

Barcelona will pay Seville-based side a transfer fee of €50 million plus an additional €10 million in various performance-related add-ons.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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