Lamine Koné

Lamine-Gueye Koné (born 1 February 1989), known as Lamine Koné, is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back. Born in France, he plays for the Ivory Coast national team.

Club career Early career Koné began his career with local youth clubs in the Île-de-France region. In 2003, he joined the second division club LB Châteauroux and, after three years in the club's youth academy, was promoted to the senior team for the 2005–06 season. Koné made his professional debut on 27 April 2007 in a league match against Montpellier. He spent three more years at the club amassing over 70 appearances.

Lorient On 30 July 2010, Koné joined Lorient on a four-year contract. The transfer fee was priced at €1 million. He signed a new three-year contract on 23 July 2013. He was signed as a replacement for Laurent Koscielny who had moved to Arsenal. Koné made 139 appearances, scoring seven goals over six seasons at Lorient.

Sunderland

On 27 January 2016, Koné signed for Premier League club Sunderland for an undisclosed fee until 2020. This followed a protracted transfer saga that had previously broken down twice, and had seen Lorient threaten Sunderland with legal action for initially pulling out of a deal. On 13 February, Koné played a big part in securing a vital win for the Black Cats against Manchester United. From an 82nd-minute corner, Koné rose up for a header and as the ball headed towards the goal, David de Gea and Anthony Martial got in a tangle before the ball eventually went in off the back of the Spanish goalkeeper for an own goal. Koné followed this up with two goals against Everton on 11 May 2016 in a 3–0 victory that saved Sunderland from relegation.

After telling new manager David Moyes that he wanted to leave the club in August, Koné had a change of heart and eventually signed a new five-year contract on 14 September 2016.

Loan to Strasbourg On 1 August 2018, Koné joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on a season-long loan. Strasbourg were also given the option to sign the centre-back permanently at the end of the season.

Strasbourg On 1 June 2019, following a successful loan stint, Koné joined Strasbourg permanently from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. In June 2021 he left Strasbourg on a free transfer due to his contract expiring.

Lausanne-Sport On 8 November 2021, Koné signed for Lausanne-Sport on a free transfer, four months after his release from Strasbourg.

Le Mans On 16 January 2023, Koné joined Le Mans in the third-tier Championnat National.

International career Koné was born in France to Ivorian parents. He is a former French youth international who has played at the under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels. Koné played with the latter team at the 2009 Mediterranean Games and the 2010 Toulon Tournament. He switched to the Ivory Coast national team and made his debut in a 4–1 loss to Cameroon in 2014.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours Strasbourg Coupe de la Ligue: 2018–19