Rachid Kouda (born 25 July 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays for Serie B club Spezia, on loan from Parma.

Rachid Kouda
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-07-25) 25 July 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Cantù, Italy
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Spezia
(on loan from Parma)
Number 80
Youth career
0000–2014 Mariano
2014–2016 Atalanta
2016–2017 Renate
2017–2029 Luciano Manara
2019–2021 Caratese
2021Cagliari (youth loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 Caratese 44 (8)
2022–2023 Picerno 32 (2)
2023–2024 Spezia 26 (2)
2024– Parma 0 (0)
2024–Spezia (loan) 0 (0)
International career
2024– Italy U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 June 2024

Club career

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Kouda was born in Cantù, Italy to Burkinabé parents. He began his youth career with local club Mariano Calcio, before being admitted to the Atalanta youth academy after a successful tryout. In 2016, he was released by the club. He then played for the youth teams of Renate, Luciano Manara, Caratese and Cagliari. On 1 December 2019, he made his senior debut with Caratese in the Serie D game against Virtus Bolzano. After three seasons at the club, he scored 8 goals after 44 league appearances.[1][2]

In July 2022, Kouda signed for Serie C side Picerno, where he netted 2 goals after 32 games in his only season with the club.[2]

On 17 July 2023, Kouda joined Serie B club Spezia, signing a three-year contract.[3] He scored his first goal for Spezia on 24 November 2023 against Sampdoria.[4]

On 30 August 2024, Kouda signed a contract with Parma and was loaned back to Spezia for the rest of the 2024–25 season.[5]

International career

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In May 2024, Kouda received his first call up to the Italy U21 team, being part of the squad for the 2024 Maurice Revello Tournament.[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "La stella della Luciano Manara debutta nei Pro: serata da ricordare per Rachid Kouda" (in Italian). Primamerate. 9 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "L'Atalanta lo scartò, lui è diventato una stella tra i Dilettanti: il talento italiano ha incantato la Serie B" (in Italian). Sprint e Sport. 5 September 2023.
  3. ^ "RACHID KOUDA IS A NEW SPEZIA CALCIO PLAYER" (Press release). Spezia. 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Kouda primo gol con lo Spezia, la dedica è tutta per Salva Ferrer" (in Italian). Cittadella Spezia. 24 November 2023.
  5. ^ "RACHID KOUDA JOINS PARMA". Parma. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Italia pronta per il 'Tournoi Maurice Revello': tante novità nei 26 convocati di Nunziata, esordio martedì 4 contro il Giappone" (in Italian). 30 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Bertola e Kouda in azzurro. Convocati nella under 21" (in Italian). Sport Quotidiano. 31 May 2024.
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