Pol Mikel Lirola Kosok (born 13 August 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as right-back for Ligue 1 club Marseille.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Lirola started his career at RCD Espanyol youth system, making his debut with B team in the Spanish third division in 2014.[2] Lirola was sent on loan to Italian side Juventus in January 2015, where he joined the club's youth side.[3]

Juventus

During the summer session of the transfer market later that year, Juventus bought Lirola outright.[4] On 28 July 2016, he moved to Sassuolo on a two-year loan.[5][6]

Lirola made his official professional debut in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League, assisting Domenico Berardi's goal in a 1–1 away draw against Red Star Belgrade, which enabled the club to qualify for the group stage of the competition for the first time in their history.[2] In the same competition, he scored the opening goal, the first of his career, in a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao on 15 September, in the club's opening group match; this was the club's historic first ever goal in official European competitions.[7]

Sassuolo

On 31 January 2018, Sassuolo signed Lirola outright, for €7 million fee.[8]

Fiorentina

On 1 August 2019, Lirola joined Serie A side Fiorentina on loan with an obligation to buy.[9]

Marseille

On 12 January 2021, Lirola joined French side Marseille, on a loan until the end of the season.[10]

Loan to Elche

On 12 August 2022, Lirola moved to La Liga club Elche on loan with an option to buy.[11]

International career

Lirola has represented the Spain at the under-17 level in 2013.[3][12] On 28 December 2016, he made his debut for the Catalonia national football team, starting in a 3–3 draw against Tunisia (2–4 penalty loss).[13]

Personal life

Lirola is of German descent through his mother. He holds a German passport, and speaks the language fluently.[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 March 2025[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Espanyol B 2014–15 Segunda División B 1 0 1 0
Juventus 2016–17 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sassuolo (loan) 2016–17 Serie A 22 0 0 0 7[b] 1 29 1
2017–18 Serie A 24 0 2 0 26 0
Total 46 0 2 0 7 1 55 1
Sassuolo 2018–19 Serie A 35 2 3 0 38 2
Fiorentina (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 35 0 4 1 39 1
Fiorentina 2020–21 Serie A 12 0 1 0 13 0
Marseille (loan) 2020–21 Ligue 1 19 2 2 0 1[c] 0 22 2
Marseille 2021–22 Ligue 1 34 1 4 0 13[d] 0 51 1
2024–25 Ligue 1 13 1 0 0 0 0 13 1
Total 47 2 4 0 13 0 64 2
Elche (loan) 2022–23 La Liga 12 1 1 0 13 1
Frosinone (loan) 2023–24 Serie A 16 2 3 0 19 2
Career total 223 9 20 1 20 1 1 0 264 11
  1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, Coupe de France, Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  4. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Europa League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

Spain U21

References

  1. ^ "Pol Lirola". Olympique de Marseille. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Lirola: 'My Sassuolo objectives'". Football Italia. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Francesco Oddi (15 September 2016). "Lirola, il gioiello splende in Europa League. E la Juve si frega già le mani" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Juve, dall'Espanyol arriva il baby Lirola" (in Italian). Tutto Sport. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Sassuolo: presentato Pol Lirola" (in Italian). La Gazzetta di Modena. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Fichajes.net". Fichajes.net.
  7. ^ "EL: Sassuolo thrash Athletic!". Football Italia. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Agreement with Sassuolo for the definitive disposal of the player Lirola" (PDF) (Press release). Turin: Juventus F.C. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  9. ^ "UFFICIALE: Fiorentina, ecco Lirola in prestito con obbligo di riscatto". Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Fiorentina's Lirola joins Marseille on loan". France 24. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Pol Lirola, fichaje del Elche C.F." (in French). Elche. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  12. ^ a b Pol Lirola at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  13. ^ "Catalonia impress before going down to Tunisia after penalty shootout". Sport. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  14. ^ "El Atletico piensa en Pol Lirola como relevo de Sime Vrsaljko". Mundo Deportivo. 24 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Spain U21 2–1 Germany U21". BBC Sport. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
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