Transfers
MERCATO
OFFICIEL
Levante secure Axel Tape-Kobrissa from Bayer Leverkusen on loan
The 18-year-old French defender, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Leverkusen last summer, joins the Spanish side on a loan deal.
Levante have moved to reinforce their defensive options by securing the signature of Axel Tape-Kobrissa from Bayer Leverkusen on loan. The France youth international, who arrived at Leverkusen from Paris Saint-Germain the previous summer, has now swapped the Bundesliga leaders for the Valencianistas in a deal confirmed on 29 August 2026.
At a glance
- Age/Position: 18, Defender (number 16)
- Deal: Loan from Bayer Leverkusen to Levante, 29 Aug 2026
- Fee: Undisclosed (loan)
Career context
Axel Tape-Kobrissa’s journey has been swift and upwardly mobile. Born in Bondy on 10 August 2007, the defender began his senior career in the French capital, earning his exit from Paris Saint-Germain — a club he helped to multiple youth-level titles including Ligue 1 U19, Coupe de France U19, Trophée des Champions, and even a maiden UEFA Champions League triumph in 2024/25 — before departing on a free transfer to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 July 2025.
That move placed him into one of Europe’s most dynamic projects. Within twelve months, he was already featuring across the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League — a testament to the faith placed in him by the Leverkusen coaching staff.
His loan switch to Levante on 29 August 2026 represents a calculated next step. Having experienced top-level football in Germany’s elite competition and European club football, the 18-year-old now gets the opportunity to gain consistent senior minutes in Spain’s top flight.
How he fits at his new club
Listed as a Defender wearing the number 16 shirt, Tape-Kobrissa arrives with a profile that suggests adaptability along the backline. His API-Football attributes show a duels rating of 84, alongside a technique score of 83, indicating comfort under pressure and composure in possession — traits valuable in any defensive system.
His defence attribute stands at 17, while his attack metric is 14, suggesting a player primarily tasked with rear-guard responsibilities rather than overlapping runs. This profile aligns well with a traditional back-four setup, where his aerial presence (180cm, 75kg) and willingness to engage in duels can be utilised without demanding excessive offensive output.
At Leverkusen, he operated in a team that dominated possession and pressed aggressively — environments that require defenders to be technically sound and positionally aware. His pass accuracy of 95% in his single Bundesliga campaign reflects an ability to play out from the back, which should translate effectively to Levante’s build-up play.
Recent numbers
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
During the 2025 season with Bayer Leverkusen, Tape-Kobrissa made 9 competitive appearances across all competitions, accumulating 288 minutes of senior football. His usage pattern was telling — he featured primarily as a squad player, with 24 appearances from the bench and only 4 starts, suggesting he was still being eased into top-flight action.
Breaking it down by competition:
- Bundesliga: 6 apps, 221 mins, 2 starts, 1 yellow card, rating 6.35
- DFB-Pokal: 1 app, 25 mins, rating 7.2
- UEFA Champions League: 1 app, 42 mins, rating 6.6
- Friendlies Clubs: 1 app, 0 mins
His standout performance came in the DFB-Pokal, where he earned a 7.2 rating in just 25 minutes, winning 2 of 3 duels and completing 15 of 15 passes (100% accuracy). In the Champions League outing, he completed 9 of 9 passes at 88% accuracy in a brief but composed showing.
Across his Bundesliga stint, he won 16 of 36 duels (44%), attempted 15 dribbles and completed 7 (47%), and drew 7 fouls — showing both tenacity and a willingness to put himself about physically despite his slight frame.
His overall season stats include:
- Apps: 9
- Minutes: 288
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- Rating: 6.49
- Pass accuracy: 95%
- Duels won: 22 of 45 (49%)
- Yellow cards: 1
- Red cards: 0
These numbers suggest a player who, while not yet a regular starter, demonstrated reliability when called upon and showed flashes of promise in high-pressure situations.
Key takeaways
| Metric | Axel Tape-Kobrissa (2025) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 | Squad player role |
| Minutes | 288 | 4 starts, 5 sub-ins |
| Pass Accuracy | 95% | Strong ball-playing ability |
| Duels Won % | 49% | Competitive in 1v1 situations |
| Bundesliga Rating | 6.35 | Positive for limited minutes |
- Loan move for development: At 18, Tape-Kobrissa gets a chance to play regular senior football in La Liga, a key step in his progression.
- Technical reliability: A 95% pass accuracy and 83 technique rating suggest he can handle pressure and contribute to possession-based play.
- Physical competitiveness: Winning nearly half his duels (22 of 45) shows he won’t shy away from physical challenges despite his age.
- Experience beyond years: Already featured in Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League — rare for an 18-year-old.
- Goal threat minimal: Zero goals and assists, but his attacking attribute (14) suggests this isn’t expected to be a major part of his game.
The loan to Levante gives a talented teenager the platform to turn potential into performance — and if his early showing at Leverkusen is any indication, he may soon become a name to watch in Spanish football.