Sékou Koné

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)

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.

Career

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

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]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 12 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United U21 2024–25[9] — — — — — 1[a] 0 1 0
Career Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Mali U17

Individual

References

  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. ^ "Games played by Sékou Koné in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Magnificent Mali clinch bronze". fifa.com. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.