Williams Kokolo

Williams Kokolo

Personal information
Full name	Williams Joseph Gabriel Kokolo [1]
Date of birth	(2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	France
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Full-back, winger
Team information
Current team	Laval
Number	17
Youth career
0000–2017	Monaco
2017–2018	Sunderland
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2020	Sunderland	0	(0)
2018–2019	→ Darlington (loan)	9	(0)
2020–2022	Middlesbrough	1	(0)
2022–2023	Burton Albion	16	(1)
2023–2024	Swindon Town	28	(2)
2024–	Laval	32	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 May 2025

Williams Joseph Gabriel Kokolo (born 9 June 2000) is a French professional footballer who plays as a left back for Ligue 2 club Laval. ^[2] He also plays on the left wing. In August 2022, Kokolo was charged with three counts of rape. In June 2023 Kokolo was acquitted of all charges.

Club career

Sunderland

Kokolo signed for Sunderland in July 2017, having left Monaco at the age of 16. ^[3]

On 6 December 2018, Kokolo signed for National League North side Darlington on a "work experience loan". ^[4] He made his professional debut two days later, starting and playing the full match in a 2–1 loss to Nuneaton Borough. ^[5] During his tenure, Kokolo made 3 starts and 6 substitute appearances for the Quakers. ^[6]

Middlesbrough

On 11 March 2020, Kokolo signed a two-year contract with local rivals Middlesbrough of the Championship, signing for the Teesside-based club on a free transfer. ^[7]

Burton Albion

On 11 January 2022, Kokolo signed for EFL League One side Burton Albion. ^[8] He scored his first goal on 12 February 2022 in a 2-2 draw against Cambridge United ^[9]

Swindon Town

On 11 November 2023, Kololo officially signed for EFL League Two side Swindon Town ^[10] on a three-month deal, valid until January 2024 following a two-week trial period, joining the club on a free transfer after being released from Burton Albion at the end of the 2022-23 season. On 5 January 2024, Kokolo signed an extension to his contract until the end of the season. ^[11]

Laval

Kokolo returned to French football when he signed for Ligue 2 club Laval in July 2024. ^[12]

Personal life

Kokolo was born in France and holds Congolese nationality. ^[13]

In August 2022, Kokolo was charged with three counts of rape. In June 2023 Kokolo was acquitted of all charges. ^[14]

References

1. "Club List of Registered Players as at 21st May 2022" (PDF). English Football League. p. 47. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
2. "W. Kokolo". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
3. "Sunderland sign Kokolo". Chronicle Live. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
4. "Kokolo heads to Darlington on work experience loan". Chronicle Live. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
5. "Kokolo makes Darlington debut". Darlington. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
6. "Middlesbrough complete signing of Sunderland youngster Williams Kokolo". Team Talk. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
7. "Middlesbrough sign former Monaco and Sunderland defender". Teesside Gazette . Retrieved 11 March 2020.
8. "William Kokolo signs on a permanent deal from Middlesbrough". Burton Albion FC. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
9. "Brewers score first at last but pegged back for a draw". burtonmail. 12 February 2022. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 3 September 2022.
10. "Town sign Williams Kokolo". www.swindontownfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
11. "Williams Kokolo signs contract extension". Swindon Town. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
12. Cotta, Martin (10 July 2024). "Ligue 2 : les défenseurs Williams Kokolo et William Bianda nouvelles recrues du Stade Lavallois" [Ligue 2: Stade Lavallois sign defenders Williams Kokolo and William Bianda]. France Bleu (in French). Retrieved 24 August 2024.
13. "Transfert: Burton Albion garde un œil sur William Kokolo". 11 January 2022.
14. "KOKOLO CLEARED ON ALL CHARGES". www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2023.