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Arouna Koné was born 11 November, 1983. He is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Sivasspor. He is a former Ivory Coast national team international. After making a name for himself in the Eredivisie, with Roda JC and PSV, he signed with Sevilla in 2007, where he rarely appeared due to injury and loans. In 2012, he moved from Levante to the Premier League, where he represented Wigan Athletic and Everton, winning one FA Cup with the former. Arouna appeared for the Ivory Coast at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Koné played for the Mama Ouattara-led Côte d’Ivoire under-20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he starred alongside Lierse teammate Adolphe Tohoua. He scored three goals in the tournament – once against Mexico in a 2–1 win, and twice in the 2–2 draw against the Republic of Ireland – in an eventual round-of-16 exit, and the official FIFA website declared him to be a “crucial pivot for the attacking thrust” of the Ivorian team, and described him as a player possessing “physical strength, aerial ability and good ball control”.
On 8 July 2013, Everton confirmed the signing of Koné on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 17 August, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–2 draw against Norwich City. In October, he suffered a knee cartilage injury and did not play again for the rest of the season. Returning on 24 December 2014, Arouna netted his first goal for Everton against Newcastle United in the early stages of a 3–2 defeat. On the opening day of the 2015–16 Premier League season, he came off the bench to assist and score to help Everton secure a 2–2 draw against Watford. His performance was rewarded with a start away to Southampton, in a 0–3 win in which the Ivorian recorded an assist.
Koné is married and has two sons and three daughters. He is a Muslim, and his father died when he was nine years old. he attributes his peroxide blonde hair to former basketball player Dennis Rodman, and states that his footballing heroes were Liberian legend George Weah and Brazilian superstar Ronaldo.
