The defender, who submitted a transfer request this summer, has now committed his long-term future to the Black Cats.
Sunderland manager David Moyes has told the club’s official website that he told Lamine Kone from the outset how important a player he is to the club after the defender signed a new five-year contract on Wednesday.
In one of the longest-running transfer sagas of the summer, Kone looked certain to join Everton throughout the transfer window, but the move ultimately fell through despite the Ivory Coast international handing in a transfer request.
Kone only joined the Black Cats in January from Lorient but almost immediately improved the club’s defence, and finished the season with 15 appearances, two goals, and as part of a previously porous back line which kept four clean sheets in the final weeks of the season.
His value to the Wearside club is clear, and losing him this summer would undoubtedly have been a big blow for new manager Moyes to contend with.
Some fans may be unhappy with the fact that Kone has got a new and improved contract after hunting for a move away, and sceptics could even suggest that he used Everton’s interest as leverage to improve his own position.
However, Moyes is just delighted to see the club hold on to such a key star.
The Scottish boss told Sunderland’s website: “Lamine is an important player for this club and I made that clear to him from the outset.
“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.”
Kone has featured three times in the Premier League already this season, missing only the home defeat to local rivals Middlesbrough.
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