The defender has signed a new contract, after being linked with a move away from Sunderland.
Lamine Kone has signed a new five-year deal at the Stadium of Light, the club’s official website confirmed on Wednesday.
The defender was heavily linked with a move away during the summer, by the likes of the Daily Mail with a contract dispute almost resulting in Kone joining Everton.
However, the 27-year-old was not allowed to leave Wearside, and was promised that a new deal would be sorted once the transfer window closed. True to their word, the Ivorian has been handed a new contract, despite having only joined the club in January from Lorient.
Kone was a key figure in Sunderland’s survival mission last season, with his partnership with the now departed Younes Kaboul proving pivotal to their success.
The centre back has not started the new season in such good form and is now paired with summer signing Papy Djilobodji. Sunderland were beaten 3-0 on Monday night by Everton, with both central defenders looking lost at sea as they failed to handle Romelu Lukaku, who scored all three goals.
Fans of the Black Cats have had little to shout about this season, following a rough start to the campaign and a less than impressive transfer window.
The red and white faithful are yet to see their side pick up a Premier League win, and have given a mixed response on Twitter to the news of Kone’s new deal.
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