Wednesday 14 September 2016 13:08, UK
Sunderland defender Lamine Kone has committed his long-term future to the Black Cats by signing a new five-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international had been heavily linked with a move to Everton this summer.
However, Sunderland boss David Moyes refused to allow the defender to leave the club during the transfer window, despite receiving a £18m offer from the Toffees.
Kone has now agreed terms on a new deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2021.
Former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce had promised to reward Kone with a new contract if he remained at the club, prior to the appointment of Moyes.
And the Scottish manager has now elected to make good on that agreement by offering Kone a new improved deal.
"Lamine is an important player for this club and I made that clear to him from the outset," Moyes said.
"He has only been playing in the Premier League since January, but in that time we have already seen what he is capable of.
"The challenge for Lamine now is to build on what has been a very positive introduction to English football and to continue to improve and grow as a player."
Kone began his career at French third division club Chateauroux before moving to join Lorient on a four-year deal in 2010.
He went on to make 139 appearances for the Ligue 1 club over the course of six seasons before securing a move to Sunderland in January this year.
Kone impressed during his debut season in the Premier League - scoring twice in 15 appearances to help the Black Cats narrowly avoid relegation.
