Sunderland AFC have agreed a deal to bring Ivorian defender Lamine Kone to the Stadium of Light from French side FC Lorient, for an undisclosed fee.
The French-born centre-back has signed a 4.5 year deal which will see him remain on Wearside until the end of the 2020 season.
Kone represented France at youth level before making his full international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2014. He graduated from academy to first team at second division side LB Chateauroux in 2007 before earning a move to Lorient three years later.
Speaking about the player, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “Strengthening our defensive options was a priority for us and Lamine is a player that has impressed me when I’ve seen him play. He is big and strong, attributes you need to play in central defence in the Premier League, and his arrival will give us healthy competition for places in a key position.”
Kone will wear the number 23 shirt.
Born: 1 February 1989, Paris
Position: Defender
Height: 189cm
