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Arouna Kone

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  • Born: 11/11/1983

  • Birthplace: Anyama - Ivory Coast

  • Nationality: Ivorian
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At Everton between 2013 - 2019


An Ivorian international, Kone arrived at Goodison Park in June 2013, becoming Roberto Martinez's first signing as Everton manager.

The striker followed Martinez from Wigan Athletic, where he had notched 13 goals under the Spaniard in 38 appearances.

Born in Anyama, a suburb of the Ivorian capital Abidjan, Kone began his career with local side Rio Sport.

He hit 17 league goals in 30 games for the provincial outfit, landing a move to Europe with Lierse SK in 2002.

An impressive first campaign in Belgium brought another switch, this time to Holland and FC Roda.

The 5ft 11ins poacher was prolific once again and after reaching double figures in successive seasons, attracted the interest of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

A move to the Philips Stadion duly materialised in the summer of 2005 and 11 goals followed in his maiden campaign as he linked up explosively with Peruvian strike partner Jefferson Farfan.

The two ultimately fired PSV to back-to-back titles before Kone's exploits prompted interest from Sevilla and a reported €12 million move in September 2007.

Despite the size of the fee, the form of Frédéric Kanouté, Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Luis Fabiano made it difficult for Kone to establish himself as a regular at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, though he did help the club progress to the first knockout stage of the Champions League.

A fifth-place finish in La Liga also secured a return to Europe the following season, only for a serious knee injury to sideline the Ivorian for six months, ruining his campaign.

The following season, Kone was allowed to leave Sevilla in search of regular first-team football and loan spells at German side Hannover 96 and back in Spain with Levante followed.

His time at Levante was particularly productive, 15 league goals coming in 34 games.

The move was subsequently made permanent but a reported €3.5 million bid from Wigan was enough to convince the cash-strapped Spaniards to part with their star signing just weeks later.

An eye-catching start to life in England followed and a goal in only his second game helped the Latics to a 2-0 win at newly-promoted Southampton.

In October, he opened the scoring against Everton in a 2-2 draw at the DW Stadium and he went on to take his Premier League tally to 11, while also racking up two strikes in the FA Cup en route to Wigan's shock final defeat of Manchester City at Wembley.

A regular for the Ivory Coast, Kone has played his part in three African Cup of Nations campaigns and was also selected for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

He made his Everton debut in the opening game of the 2013/14 season when he emerged from the bench in the 2-2 draw with Norwich.

Five more appearances followed before a serious knee injury curtailed his campaign.

On November 1st 2015, his contract was extended by an additional 12 months and celebrated by scoring a hat-trick against Sunderland.

Arouna's contract was not extended and he left the club at the end of June 2017.

Arouna then joined Turkish club Sivasspor on a 2 year deal at the beginning of July.

Good luck from all at Love Everton.

Source: Evertonfc.com

Artwork Arouna Kone

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