Arouna Koné

Arouna Koné

Koné in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Arouna Koné[1]
Date of birth	11 November 1983
Place of birth	Anyama, Ivory Coast
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) [2]
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current team	Everton
Number	9
Youth career
	Rio Sport
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2001–2002	Rio Sport	30	(17)
2002–2003	Lierse	32	(11)
2003–2005	Roda	63	(27)
2005–2007	PSV	53	(21)
2007–2012	Sevilla	40	(1)
2010	→ Hannover 96 (loan)	8	(2)
2011–2012	→ Levante (loan)	34	(15)
2012	Levante	0	(0)
2012–2013	Wigan Athletic	34	(11)
2013–	Everton	40	(6)
National team^‡
2004–	Côte d'Ivoire	39	(9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of match played 13 February 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 April 2013

Arouna Koné (born 11 November 1983) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Everton and the Ivory Coast national team.

After making a name for himself in the Eredivisie, with Roda JC and PSV, he signed with Sevilla in 2007, where he rarely appeared due to injury and loans. In 2012, he moved from Levante to the English Premier League, where he represented Wigan Athletic and Everton, winning one FA Cup with the former.

Koné appeared for the Ivory Coast at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Club career

PSV

Koné endured a difficult start to PSV's 2007–08 season: due to a date mix-up, he returned late to pre-season training following a holiday in his country, thus missing out on valuable time to prepare for the new campaign. Added to this, the player was struck down with malaria at the end of July 2007,^[3] In August, it was announced that he had returned to training following his health scare, and was expected to be fit in time for the team's first league game against Heracles Almelo on the July 19;^[4] he also immediately returned to international duty.^[5]

Sevilla

On the 30 August 2007, after reported interest from English Premier League side Middlesbrough,^[6] Sevilla signed Koné on a five-year deal for a reported €12 million transfer fee.^[7] He made his Liga debut on 16 September as a second-half substitute for Frédéric Kanouté in a 4–1 win against Recreativo de Huelva – he won a penalty in the game, but fellow striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov failed to convert.^[8] Nine days later, he scored his first goal for the Spaniards, helping the team come from behind 0–2 against Espanyol to tie it 2–2 in an eventual 2–3 home loss.^[9][10] On 2 October, he netted his first UEFA Champions League goal for the club in a 4–2 group stage win against Slavia Prague after just ten minutes on the pitch.^[11][12]

In April 2008, it was reported that Koné was to be shown the door at Sevilla in the summer of 2008 after a disappointing first season. His lack of playing time, partly due to the form of strikers Luís Fabiano and Kanouté, and an argument on the training ground with a member of the training staff that was caught on Spanish television, made for some intense speculation about the player's future.^[13] In the run-up to the 2008–09 campaign, he suffered a serious injury while playing for the Ivory Coast against Guinea on 20 August,^[14] and a subsequent scan showed he had suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in his left leg. He underwent surgery to repair the damage the following week,^[15] returning to training in February 2009.^[16]

Koné subsequently fell out of favour at Sevilla^[17] and, after much transfer speculation,^[18][19][20] in February 2010 he joined German Bundesliga club Hannover 96 on loan until the end of the season.^[21]

Koné in Levante colours.

Koné only appeared once for Sevilla in 2010–11, one minute against Villarreal.^[22] For the following season, he was loaned to Levante, starting often and scoring his first goal of the campaign on 18 September 2011 in a surprise 1–0 home win over Real Madrid.^[23]

Koné was rested for the final three games of the season due to a minor injury, and also because he was "scoring too many goals," as if he reached 18 he would have to return to Sevilla automatically,^[24] something he did not desire.^[25] Instead, he moved to Levante on a permanent basis, though the club were reported to be keen to sell him immediately for a profit.^[26]

Wigan Athletic

On 14 August 2012, Koné signed a three-year contract with English Premier League side Wigan Athletic, for a reported fee of €3.5 million.^[27] Wigan beat off competition from a number of other English clubs, with the striker being persuaded to sign due to the team's passing style of play.^[28] He scored his first league goal in his second match and his first start, an 89th minute strike against Southampton for the final goal in a 0–2 away win.^[29] He netted a brace in the 4–1 defeat of Huddersfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup on 17 February 2013,^[30] and added another two in his side's next match, a 0–3 league win at Reading.^[31]

Koné won the FA Cup with the Latics, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 upset against Manchester City.^[32] Only three days later, however, Wigan were relegated from the top division following a 4–1 defeat at Arsenal.^[33]

Everton

On 8 July 2013, Everton confirmed the signing of Koné on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[34] He made his debut on 17 August, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–2 draw at Norwich City.^[35] In October, he suffered a knee cartilage injury and did not play again for the rest of the season.^[36] Returning on 24 December 2014, he netted his first goal for Everton against Newcastle United in the early stages of a 3–2 defeat. On the opening day of the 2015–16 Premier League season, Koné came off the bench to assist and score to help Everton secure a 2–2 draw against Watford.^[37] His performance was rewarded with a start away at Southampton, a 0–3 win in which the Ivorian recorded an assist.^[38] Koné then continued to have an impressive start to the season, excelling in Everton's 3–1 win over Chelsea. He scored his first Everton hat trick in their 6–2 victory over Sunderland on 1 November 2015.^[39]

International career

Koné playing for Côte d'Ivoire in 2007.

Koné played for the Mama Ouattara-led Côte d'Ivoire under-20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he starred alongside Lierse team mate Adolphe Tohoua. He scored three goals in the tournament – once against Mexico in a 2–1 win, and twice in the 2–2 draw against the Republic of Ireland – in an eventual round-of-16 exit, and the official FIFA website declared him to be a "crucial pivot for the attacking thrust" of the Ivorian team, and described him as a player possessing "physical strength, aerial ability and good ball control."^[40]

Koné was also picked for the squad that appeared at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, a first-ever for the African nation. He replaced Abdul Kader Keïta in the 77th minute of the first game, a 1–2 loss against Argentina, and started in the other two – going scoreless in the process – as the national team did not make it to the knockout stages.^[41][42][43]

After spending four years in the international wilderness due to injuries and loss of form, Koné was recalled to the Ivorian squad in 2012 and was named in the squad for the 2013 African Cup of Nations due to his club form at Wigan, with boss Roberto Martínez commenting on his player's international return, "Arouna had a long period when he wasn't involved with the national team, and that was hard because he loves representing his country. When he is happy, we are happy, and I am very pleased he is back in the Ivory Coast squad."^[44]

Personal life

Koné is married and have two sons and three daughters.^[45] He is a Muslim,^[46] and his father died when he was nine years old.^[46]

Koné attributes his peroxide blonde hair to former basketball player Dennis Rodman, and states that his footballing heroes were Liberian legend George Weah and Brazilian superstar Ronaldo.^[46]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 February 2016.

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Rio Sport	2001[47]	Ivorian Ligue 2	12	6	—		—		—		12	6
	2002[47]	Ivorian Ligue 1	18	11	—		—		—		18	11
	Total		30	17	—		—		—		30	17
Lierse	2002–03[47]	Belgian First Division	32	11	0	0	—		—		32	11
	Total		32	11	0	0	—		—		32	11
Roda JC	2003–04[47]	Eredivisie	28	11	0	0	—		—		28	11
	2004–05[47]	Eredivisie	33	14	0	0	—		—		33	14
	2005–06[47]	Eredivisie	2	2	0	0	—		—		2	2
	Total		63	27	0	0	—		—		63	27
PSV	2005–06[48]	Eredivisie	21	11	0	0	—		2	0	23	11
	2006–07[48]	Eredivisie	31	10	0	0	—		9	2	40	12
	2007–08[48]	Eredivisie	1	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0
	Total		53	21	0	0	—		11	2	64	23
Sevilla	2007–08[48]	La Liga	21	1	0	0	—		3	1	24	2
	2008–09[48]	La Liga	6	0	0	0	—		—		6	0
	2009–10[48]	La Liga	12	0	2	0	—		3	0	17	0
	2010–11[48]	La Liga	1	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0
	Total		40	1	2	0	—		6	1	48	2
Hannover 96 (loan)	2009–10[48]	Bundesliga	8	2	0	0	—		—		8	2
	Total		8	2	0	0	—		—		8	2
Levante (loan)	2011–12[48]	La Liga	34	15	5	2	—		—		39	17
	Total		34	15	5	2	—		—		39	17
Wigan Athletic	2012–13[48]	Premier League	34	11	4	2	0	0	—		38	13
	Total		34	11	4	2	0	0	—		38	13
Everton	2013–14[48]	Premier League	5	0	0	0	1	0	—		6	0
	2014–15[48]	Premier League	12	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	16	1
	2015–16[48]	Premier League	23	5	2	2	4	0	—		29	7
	Total		40	6	2	2	5	0	4	0	51	8
Career total			334	111	12	5	5	0	21	3	372	120

References

1. "List of players" (PDF). CAF. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
2. "Player Profile Arouna Kone". web page. Everton OS. 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
3. "Koné adds to Koeman's woes". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
4. "Koné returns to training". Archived from the original on 27 May 2011.
5. "Koné back in Ivory Coast squad". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
6. "Middlesbrough interested in Arouna". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
7. "Koné heads to Sevilla". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
8. "FC Sevilla 4–1 Recreativo Huelva". ESPN Soccernet. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
9. "Tamudo stuns Sevilla". ESPN Soccernet. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
10. "Arouna scores first Sevilla goal". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011.
11. "Sevilla 4–2 Slavia Prague: Losing streak ended". ESPN Soccernet. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
12. "Kanoute and Koné on target for rampant Sevilla". Archived from the original on 21 January 2016.
13. Minshull, Phil (17 April 2008). "Kone under pressure at Sevilla". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
14. "Koné blow for Sevilla". Sky Sports. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
15. Gourizro, Giscard (2 September 2008). "Koné hopes for rapid return". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
16. "Koné set for Sevilla return". Sky Sports. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
17. "Koné willing to move on". Sky Sports. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
18. "Real Zaragoza keen on Arouna Kone to replace Ikechukwu Uche". Goal.com. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
19. "Arouna Kone may join Real Zaragoza on loan – Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez". Goal.com. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
20. "Football: The top 20 European January transfer targets". The Guardian. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
21. "Arouna Kon zu 96!" [Arouna Kon to 96!] (in German). Hannover 96. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
22. "Romaric edges Sevilla thriller". ESPN Soccernet. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
23. "Khedira off as Madrid lose". ESPN Soccernet. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
24. "Arouna Koné scoring too many goals". Football.co. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
25. "Koné in Levante dilemma". A Different League. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
26. "Levante exercise option to buy Arouna Koné". Goal.com. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
27. "Latics swoop for Kone from Levante". ESPN Soccernet. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
28. "Stylish Wigan boss Martinez persuaded Kone to sign". Tribal Football. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
29. "Latics sink Saints". ESPN Soccernet. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
30. "Wigan beat Huddersfield 4–1 in the FA Cup fifth round". Sky Sports. 17 February 2013.
31. "Wigan beat Reading 3–0 to move out of the Premier League relegation zone". Sky Sports. 23 February 2013.
32. "Man City 0–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
33. "Arsenal 4–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
34. "Arouna Kone: Everton sign Ivory Coast striker from Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
35. "Norwich 2–2 Everton". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
36. "Everton striker Arouna Kone out for 'long spell' says club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
37. "Everton 2-2 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
38. "Southampton 0-3 Everton". BBC Sport. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
39. "Everton 6-2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
40. "Twelve shining stars in the Emirates". FIFA.com. 12 December 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
41. "Argentina – Côte d'Ivoire". FIFA.com. 10 June 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
42. "Netherlands – Côte d'Ivoire". FIFA.com. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
43. "Côte d'Ivoire – Serbia and Montenegro". FIFA.com. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
44. "Martinez set to lose Kone for a month". ESPN FC. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
45. "Arouna Koné has become father of a baby boy". PSV. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
46. "Arouna Koné: 'Wherever in the world I play I can find goals'". The Guardian. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
47. "Koné, Arouna". National-Football-Teams. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
48. "A. KONÉ". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

External links

• Everton official profile
• Stats at Voetbal International (Dutch)
• BDFutbol profile
• Arouna Koné career statistics at Soccerbase
• Arouna Koné at National-Football-Teams.com
• Arouna Koné – FIFA competition record