Kone agrees new Sunderland deal

Sep 14, 2016 - 1:24 PM Ivory Coast international Lamine Kone has signed a new five-year contract with EPL strugglers Sunderland.

Ivory Coast international Kone, 27, had been a target for rivals Everton during the summer transfer window.

Despite the player making a transfer request in a bid to force the move through, the deal was blocked by Black Cats boss David Moyes who could not bring in a suitable replacement.

Kone, though, has now seen his future resolved, putting pen to paper on a deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2021.

Moyes is glad to be able to continue to count on Kone, who joined Sunderland in January from French club Lorient.

"Lamine is an important player for this club and I made that clear to him from the outset," the Sunderland manager said on the club's official website.

"He has only been playing in the Premier League since January, but in that time we have already seen what he is capable of.

"The challenge for Lamine now is to build on what has been a very positive introduction to English football and to continue to improve and grow as a player."

Source: AAP