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.

Sékou Koné
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-02-03) 3 February 2006 (age 18)
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

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A 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

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Koné 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

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Mali U17

Individual

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Senegal's dominance shines in TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Best XI". CAFOnline.com. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Marshall, Adam (30 August 2024). "Kone signs for United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Sekou Kone: Manchester United Finalize Deal for 'Next Yaya Toure'". footboom1.com. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Magnificent Mali clinch bronze". fifa.com. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
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