Niels Nkounkou

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Lore & Background

Nkounkou's path to Eintracht Frankfurt began in the youth ranks of Cergy Pontoise before he signed for Ligue 1 giants Marseille in 2017. At Marseille, he played regularly for the B team, trained with the senior side, and featured on the bench twice for the first team during the 2019–20 season. He joined Everton on a free transfer in July 2020, signing a three-year deal after rejecting a professional contract from Marseille. The opportunity of working under Carlo Ancelotti convinced Nkounkou to join the Toffees. His agent Yvan Le Mée stressed that Ancelotti called the player, spoke to him, and knew the player's potential. Nkounkou made his professional debut for Everton in a 3–0 EFL Cup victory against Salford City, forming an effective attacking partnership with fellow youngster Anthony Gordon. He put in another positive display against Fleetwood Town, capping it with a back-heeled assist for Moise Kean in a 5–2 victory. His first league game came on 1 November 2020 against Newcastle United, replacing Lucas Digne who was serving a one match ban. In January 2023, Nkounkou signed for Ligue 2 club Saint-Étienne on loan, a deal eventually made permanent. On 1 September 2023, he signed a five-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt and scored on his debut, coming off the bench to net an 87th minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw vs Köln. On 1 September 2025, he moved on loan to Torino in Italy, with an option to buy and a conditional obligation to buy.

In Their Own Story

The 87th minute at Deutsche Bank Park. Eintracht Frankfurt are trailing 1-0 to Köln. Niels Nkounkou, just signed on 1 September 2023, is sent on from the bench. The ball falls to him, and he strikes it cleanly, finding the net for an equaliser. It's his debut for the club, and he's already made his mark. This moment is the culmination of a journey that started at Cergy Pontoise, continued through Marseille's youth ranks where he played for the B team and trained with the first team, and led to a move to Everton. At Everton, he impressed in the EFL Cup, forming a partnership with Anthony Gordon and providing a back-heeled assist for Moise Kean. He made his Premier League debut on 1 November 2020 against Newcastle United, stepping in for the suspended Lucas Digne. After a loan to Saint-Étienne that became permanent, he found his way to Frankfurt, where his debut goal announced his arrival.

Reader's Guide

Niels Nkounkou is a French professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. Born on 1 November 2000, he started his career at Cergy Pontoise before joining Marseille in 2017. At Marseille, he played regularly for the B team and was on the bench twice for the first team in the 2019–20 season. He joined Everton on a free transfer in July 2020, signing a three-year deal. His professional debut came in a 3-0 EFL Cup win over Salford City, where he impressed alongside Anthony Gordon. He also provided a back-heeled assist for Moise Kean in a 5-2 EFL Cup win over Fleetwood Town. His first league appearance for Everton was on 1 November 2020 against Newcastle United, replacing the suspended Lucas Digne. In January 2023, he joined Saint-Étienne on loan, a move later made permanent. On 1 September 2023, he signed a five-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt and scored on his debut, an 87th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Köln. On 1 September 2025, he moved on loan to Torino with an option to buy and a conditional obligation to buy. Internationally, Nkounkou is of Republic of Congo descent and has represented France at U19 level, earning two caps. He was called up to the France Olympic squad for Tokyo 2020 and made his debut for France U23 against South Africa on 25 July 2021.

Did You Know?

• Nkounkou made his professional debut for Everton in a 3-0 EFL Cup victory against Salford City.
• He provided a back-heeled assist for Moise Kean in a 5-2 EFL Cup win over Fleetwood Town.
• He scored on his Eintracht Frankfurt debut, an 87th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw vs Köln.
• He made his international debut for the France Olympic team at Tokyo 2020.
• His agent Yvan Le Mée said Carlo Ancelotti personally called Nkounkou to convince him to join Everton.