Lamine Koné: The Ivorian international hangs up his boots at 36 | OneFootball

The central defender ends a sixteen-year professional career.

Lamine Koné

Lamine Koné announced on August 1, 2025, the end of his professional football career. The 36-year-old Ivorian defender steps away from the pitch after a storied journey that took him from Châteauroux to Sunderland, including spells at Lorient, Strasbourg, and with the national team.

The Paris-born player made his retirement official with an emotional message on social media. This decision closes the curtain on sixteen years of European footballing adventures. Lamine Koné began his training at Châteauroux under Frédéric Zago before joining Lorient in 2010. His six seasons in Brittany helped him develop and catch the eye of English scouts. His transfer to Sunderland in January 2016 for €6.5 million marked the pinnacle of his career, as he discovered Premier League football.

Koné's English adventure will be remembered for his decisive performances in helping Sunderland avoid relegation. The defender notably scored a crucial brace against Everton that secured the Black Cats' place in the top flight. His return to France came in the form of a loan and then a permanent move to Racing Club de Strasbourg in 2018. His time in Alsace was crowned by winning the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019, the first and only trophy of his career. He also got a taste of European competition with Strasbourg before heading to Switzerland.

“For me, the chapter as a football player is coming to an end. From my youth days at Stade Olympique de Paris 13th to US Alfortville... football has always been more than a sport. It's a passion, a school of life, a childhood dream that I was lucky enough to fulfill for 16 wonderful years. Thank you to my friends, my family—you know who you are—and especially to my wife, who has always supported and stood by me, no matter the challenge. Thank you to the presidents and directors who placed their trust in me over the years,” wrote Lamine Koné.

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