Jeyland Mitchell becomes first Costa Rican in RC Strasbourg history two years after leaving Alajuelense

Two years ago Jeyland Mitchell was playing for Alajuelense. Today he is the most expensive defender sale in Sturm Graz history and the first Costa Rican ever to join RC Strasbourg. That leap, laid out just like that, gives an idea of how fast this 21-year-old's career is moving.

The deal was closed this Wednesday and left no loose ends: medical tests done, contract signed through 2031 and an official announcement from the French club. The final fee came in at 8 million euros, a number that wasn't on the table from the start. In fact, the negotiation began well below that: Strasbourg first knocked on Sturm Graz's door with an offer close to 5 million euros, and while the player quickly agreed on his personal terms, the clubs kept talking until they reached the 8 million that ultimately sealed the transfer.

Mitchell traveled with his agents, Kurt Morsink and Diego Fernandez, to complete the paperwork and sign for five seasons. Nothing was left to chance.

From Limon to Ligue 1

To understand what this move means, you have to look at the map this defender has covered in barely 24 months. He left Alajuelense in 2024 after making a name for himself with the Costa Rica national team, and his next stop was none other than Feyenoord. In Rotterdam he made nine appearances, but it was in Austria, with Sturm Graz, where he found the regularity he had been missing: 32 matches played, including minutes in the Champions League and Europa League, an experience that undoubtedly weighed in Strasbourg's decision to go after him.

That path also explains why the Austrian club didn't let him go cheap. The 8 million euros make Mitchell the highest defender sale in Sturm Graz history, no small thing for a club accustomed to selling players to bigger leagues.

Strasbourg itself, during the presentation, pointed out another number: the Costa Rican already has 25 caps with his country's senior national team, a striking figure for someone just 21 years old.

Mitchell didn't hide his excitement about becoming the first Costa Rican to play for the French club.

I come from Limon, Costa Rica, and with this my story continues. Costa Rica had never had a player wear these colors. Today I feel proud to be the first.Jeyland Mitchell

Now he has to adjust to Ligue 1, and not at just any club: Strasbourg is part of BlueCo, the same ownership group behind Chelsea, a structure that in recent years has become a showcase for launching young players into even more demanding leagues.

Limon, Alajuelense, Rotterdam, Graz and now Strasbourg. At 21 years old, Jeyland Mitchell's journey already ranks him among the Costa Rican footballers who have climbed the ladder of European soccer the fastest.