Sékou Koné (born 3 February 2006) is a Malian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United. At international level, he has played for the Mali under-17 team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 February 2006 | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Manchester United | ||
| Number | 42 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| JMG Academy | |||
| 2023–2024 | Guidars | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Manchester United | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | Mali U17 | 12 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:57, 2 September 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:44, 27 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
editA graduate of JMG Academy, Koné played for Bamako-based club Guidars.[1] He played for Mali at the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where his performances helped Mali to a fourth-place finish, as well as earning Koné a place in the team of the tournament.[2] He then appeared at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, at which Mali finished third thanks to a 3–0 win over Argentina in the third-place play-off.[3] This led to interest from clubs around the world, including England's Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.[4]
Koné signed for Manchester United on 30 August 2024.[5]
Style of play
editKoné mainly plays as a defensive midfielder and is known for his ball-winning skills and stamina, which allow him to track back and disrupt opposition play, but he is also capable of getting involved in attacking moves.[6]
His style of play has been compared to that of former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré by the African media due to his explosive and energetic displays.[7][8]
Honours
editMali U17
- FIFA U-17 World Cup third place: 2023[9]
Individual
- U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Best XI: 2023[2]
References
edit- ^ Keifer, MacDonald (22 August 2024). "Who is Sekou Kone? Meet Man United new wonderkid signing who has secret Tottenham link". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Senegal's dominance shines in TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Best XI". CAFOnline.com. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Coombs, Dan (27 August 2024). "Sekou Kone showed exactly why Man Utd are signing him, wonderkid has got everything". unitedinfocus.com. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Cunningham, Jack (23 August 2024). "Who is Sekou Kone? Manchester United agree deal to sign 'next Yaya Toure' from same academy as Tottenham star". talkSport. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Marshall, Adam (30 August 2024). "Kone signs for United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Gamp, Oli (24 August 2024). "Who is Sekou Kone? Teenage wonderkid set to make Manchester United transfer". themirror.com. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Gamp, Oli (23 August 2024). "Who is Sekou Kone? Man Utd agree deal for 'next Yaya Toure' who shone at World Cup". mirror.co.uk. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Sekou Kone: Manchester United Finalize Deal for 'Next Yaya Toure'". footboom1.com. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Magnificent Mali clinch bronze". fifa.com. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
External links
edit- Sékou Koné at Soccerway