Arouna Koné (born 11 November 1983, in Ányama, Côte d'Ivoire) is an Ivorian football (soccer) striker who currently plays for Sevilla FC of the Spain La Liga and the Côte d'Ivoire national football team.
Talk Arouna Koné
Are you a fan of Arouna Koné or want to know more about him? Then you can discuss Arouna Koné with other fans on the messageboard here.Arouna Koné News
Want to know more about Arouna Koné? We gather news from various medias about Arouna Koné.Arouna Koné league career stats
| Season | Club | Games | Goals | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
| 2006/07 |  | PSV Eindhoven | 31 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005/06 | | Roda JC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005/06 | | PSV Eindhoven | 20 | 11 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004/05 | | Roda JC | 32 | 14 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2003/04 | | Roda JC | 25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2002/03 |  | Lierse | 27 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Arouna Koné biography
Arouna Koné (born 11 November 1983, in Ányama, Côte d'Ivoire) is an Ivorian football (soccer) striker who currently plays for Sevilla FC of the Spain La Liga and the Côte d'Ivoire national football team.
During Arouna Koné time at Roda it was reported that Arouna Koné recommended fellow Ivorian striker Sekou Cissé to join the Eredivisie side.
Arouna made Arouna Koné Côte d'Ivoire senior international debut in March 2004 against tunisia national football team, where the Elephants were 2-0 victors. Arouna Koné wears the Number 9 shirt for Arouna Koné country, playing in the 2006 African Cup of Nations tournament, scoring once, where the Elephants were runners up to hosts Egypt national football team.
Arouna was left on the bench for the first game against Argentina in Hamburg as Cote d'Ivoire adopted a more defensive approach against one of the tournament favourites. However, goals from Hernán Crespo and Javier Saviola quickly saw them playing catch up. Arouna replaced Abdul Kader Keïta on 77 minutes and five minutes later Didier Drogba fired them back into the game. Alas it was not enough as Argentina ran out 2-1 winners.
Cote d'Ivoire's second game brought a clear sense of déjà vu as they again quickly found themselves two goals down, this time against the Netherlands in Stuttgart. Robin Van Persie's free-kick and Ruud van Nistelrooy's sharp finish left them reeling but a brilliant individual goal from Arouna's brother Bakari soon fired them back into it. Arouna started up front alongside Drogba and twice came close to scoring. Early on Arouna Koné shrugged off the challenge of Giovanni van Bronckhorst only to fire wide and in the second half Arouna Koné blazed over after a smart team move that Arouna Koné had instigated. Arouna was replaced by Kanga Akalé 17 minutes from time. Alas, Arouna Koné team mates couldn't find an equaliser and their FIFA World Cup dream was effectively over.
Despite the intense disappointment of being knocked out after two games Cote d'Ivoire picked themselves up for their final Group C game against Serbia and Montenegro in Munich. The Serbs were also out and so an open game was expected. Astonishingly Cote d'Ivoire quickly fell 2-0 down, poor defending allowing Nikola Žigić and Saša Ilić (midfielder) to score. Just before half time a blatant hand ball in the area allowed Aruna Dindane to get Arouna Koné side back in the game. At the start of the second half Serbia were reduced to 10 men when Albert Nađ was dismissed for two bookings. A man up, Cote d'Ivoire took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and further strikes from Dindane, with a header, and a late penalty from Paris Saint-Germain striker Bonaventure Kalou after another hand ball saw them to a first ever win in the FIFA World Cup finals. Arouna started again, although Arouna Koné wasn't at Arouna Koné best, playing the full 90 minutes. The dream was over but Cote d'Ivoire had announced themselves on the world stage.
Another brother, Karamoko Koné, is part of the reserve team set up at Arouna's former club Roda JC.
Arouna Koné also sends a proportion of Arouna Koné wages to Arouna Koné mother and family in Côte d'Ivoire. Speaking of Arouna Koné success in football, and Arouna Koné support of Arouna Koné family Arouna Koné is quoted as saying: "In Africa the solidarity for your family is very large. My father died when I was nine years old. My mother and my family have spent many years with difficulty. I am glad that I am now able support them."
Koné also made Arouna Koné mark at the top level, scoring twice as PSV cruised through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League including a vital winner in the 2-1 victory away to Galatasaray S.K..
Arouna was also shining at international level, bagging Arouna Koné first international hat-trick in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Gabon national football team in Abidjan. A game that saw the World Cup-finalists run riot in a 5-0 victory.
Arouna's successful 2006 finished on an appropriately high note as Arouna Koné was nominated as one of the Ivorian players of the year, an award eventually won by Arouna Koné international strike partner Didier Drogba.
During the January 2007 transfer window Arouna was linked with a number of moves away from PSV. Firstly English Premiership side Aston Villa F.C. were linked with a move for the forward, before Koné reportedly rejected a chance to move to Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
In March, Arouna suffered a knee injury in training, which ruled Arouna Koné out of many crucial games for club and country. Following Arouna Koné absence, PSVs seemingly insurmountable lead in the Eredivisie has gradually been crumbled away. After drawing 0-0 against Excelsior Rotterdam, losing to arch rivals Ajax 5-1, and scraping a 1-1 draw at NAC Breda, the Eindhoven sides lead has been cut to just three points by the start of April. Koné, along with Brazilian central defender Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, has also been ruled out of PSVs crucial Champions League last-16 ties against English Premiership giants Liverpool FC. Arouna was one of a number of notable absentees through injury for Ivory Coast's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar national football team. Fortunately, the Elephants were strong enough to survive the game without drama, coming through as 3-0 victors, with goals from Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Steve Gohouri, the RC Lens striker Aruna Dindane and Paris Saint-Germain frontman Amara Diané.
In May 2007 Koné picked up Arouna Koné second Eredivisie winners medal in two years with PSV claiming the title on the final day of the season on goal difference from rivals Ajax.
In June Arouna made Arouna Koné international comeback from injury in the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar. The game was played in the Northern city of Bouake as part of a peace initiative in Côte d'Ivoire, rather than Abidjan. Koné started the game as part of a front three, alongside Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou. 18 minutes in Kalou opened the scoring for the Elephants, with Arouna adding another before half time. The second half kicked off with AS Monaco midfielder Yaya Touré getting in on the act to score a third, before Arouna added Arouna Koné second - the Elephants fourth of the game. Drogba finished off the Madagascar defense with a fifth, and winning goal three minutes from the end. All in all, Arouna's international comeback was a complete success, and Arouna Koné impressive brace helped maintain the Elephants 100% record in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
In August 2007 it was announced that Arouna had returned to training following Arouna Koné health scare, and was expected to be fit in time for the teams first Eredivisie game against Heracles Almelo on 19 August.
On 17 August Arouna was named in the Cote d'Ivoire squad to face African Cup of Nations Champions Egypt in Paris on 22 August following Arouna Koné return from illness.
Arouna played the full 90 minutes in PSVs season opener against Heracles, with the Championship winning side running out 2-0 winners. Koné didn't score but reports surfaced on 20 August that scouts from English Premiership side Middlesbrough F.C. were in the stands, with the Ivorian the subject of their attention, and a £6m bid for Arouna Koné services in the pipeline. The following day news surfaced that Spanish La Liga outfit and UEFA Cup holders Sevilla F.C. were locked in talks with PSV to secure the forwards services, with negotiations apparently at an "advanced" stage.
On 28 August it was reported that Koné was due to complete Arouna Koné move to the La Liga side within the week, adding firepower and experience to a side who will be competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
On 30 August Sevilla F.C confirmed on its official website the signing of the Côte d'Ivoire international player for the next five years. The Spanish club reportedly paid €12 million in order to acquire Arouna's services.
On 12 September Koné was finally presented to the media as a Sevilla player having been assigned the number 22 shirt. The delay from Arouna Koné signing to Arouna Koné unveiling led to rumours that there were problems with the Ivorian's health - in particular Arouna Koné heart. However, Koné was quick to dispel such talk, with the real reason being due to the death of Sevilla wingback Antonio Puerta a few days previously. Arouna spoke about Arouna Koné ambitions for Arouna Koné latest move stating: "I know the team and I know that they have won many things in recent years, but I hope to be able to help them to win even more."
At Arouna Koné unveiling Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido commented that Arouna was 'one of the best attackers in the world' and with the Ivorian in their ranks, the Spanish side had their strongest side in their history.
Arouna Koné made Arouna Koné La Liga debut as a second half substitute for Mali national football team international Frédéric Kanouté in Sevilla's 4-1 victory over Recreativo Huelva on 16 September 2007. Arouna Koné won a penalty for the team, but strike partner Aleksandr Kerzhakov failed to convert. Following the game Koné commented that Arouna Koné felt fellow African Kanouté was one of the "best forwards in the world" and looked forward to striking up an attacking partnership with him.
On 25 September 2007 Arouna opened Arouna Koné scoring account for Sevilla in Arouna Koné second game for the club. The Seville side came from two goals down against rivals Espanyol to make it 2-2 following a Daniel Jarque own-goal and Arouna's spectacular header into the top corner from a Diego Capel cross. Espanyol eventually ran out 3-2 winners but the Ivorian striker had made Arouna Koné presence felt at Arouna Koné new team.
On 2 October 2007 Arouna opened Arouna Koné European account for Sevilla. The Ivorian was a second half substitute for the Spanish side in the group game against Czech Republic outfit Slavia Prague and scored within 10 minutes of Arouna Koné arrival, helping Sevilla to a 4-2 victory.
Koné was named in the Ivorian squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. Arouna Koné kept Arouna Koné number nine shirt but for the first two games sat on the bench alongside Arouna Koné brother Bakari having fallen behind Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Aruna Dindane in the Ivorian's impressive strike force. With the Ivorian side having qualified for the quarter finals with a game to spare however Arouna was reinstated in the Cote d'Ivoire line-up for the final group match against Mali national football team.
In April 2008 it was reported that Koné was to be shown the door at Sevilla in the summer of 2008, after a disappointing first season in La Liga. The forward, by 20 April, had only started six league games, and made substitute appearances in another 11. Arouna Koné lack of playing time, partly down to the form of fellow strikers Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanouté, and a bust up on the training ground with a member of the Sevilla training staff that was caught on Spanish television, made for some intense speculation about the Ivorian's future. Additionally, a trip to Rome to supposedly visit a brother, fueled reports that Koné would be making the switch to Serie A when the 2008 summer transfer window re-opened.
Arouna Koné has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool FC. It is highly speculated that Álvaro Arbeloa could be used as part of a swap deal. However, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are also interested in the striker. On Wednesday 23 July 2008 it was reported in English national newspaper 'The Times' that Koné had been offered to Middlesbrough F.C. by Sevilla.
A scan showed that Arouna had suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in Arouna Koné left leg, and the striker underwent surgery to repair the damage the following week, commenting that Arouna Koné was sure of playing football again that season..
On 4 February 2009 it was reported that Arouna was back in training with Sevilla, and would be expected to return to first-team action in a matter of weeks, following Arouna Koné serious knee injury..
Arouna Koné made Arouna Koné first-team return in March 2009, after seven months on the sidelines.
Koné was also reportedly setting up Arouna Koné own footballing academy, which was due to be completed in December 2005. It was to have the capacity to take up to 50 children when operational.
On 21 August 2007 Arouna became a proud father after Arouna Koné wife gave birth to the couple's first child - a boy named Amidou. The Ivorian stated that both mother and child were doing well and that Arouna Koné was absolutely delighted.
The early years
Koné was born in Ányama, a suburb of the Côte d'Ivoire capital Abidjan, to a family of ten brothers and five sisters. Like many other youths, Arouna Koné learned football on the streets, having the desire to play professionally, although Arouna Koné father reportedly wanted Arouna Koné to concentrate on Arouna Koné schooling. Arouna's father died when Arouna Koné was nine, and Arouna Koné mother gave her assent to Arouna Koné footballing aspirations, with Arouna Koné joining the youth ranks of local club Rio Sport d'Ányama. This is in contrast to many successful Ivorian footballers, who, including Arouna Koné brother Bakari Koné, were products of the youth system at capital city club ASEC Abidjan. With Koné proving a success at Rio Sport, Arouna Koné stopped Arouna Koné schooling at the age of 16 to concentrate on Arouna Koné football development, and Arouna Koné contribution to the team helped gain promotion and relegation to the leagues top division, having been added to the first team squad at the age of 17. France club RC Lens invited Arouna Koné for a trial in 2002, but Arouna Koné experienced personal difficulties with the management, and instead transferred to Belgium club Lierse S.K a month later, following a trial match. Arouna settled in well at Lierse, becoming good friends with team-mate and fellow Ivorian Adolphe Tohoua, who had also come to Belgium from Rio Sport. In an impressive debut season, Arouna Koné scored 11 times in 32 games, and in 2003, after only one season in the Belgian league, Arouna Koné was snapped up by Dutch outfit Roda JC. Koné became an instant hit with Arouna Koné impressive goal tally for Roda, and in 2005 more impressive performances for Arouna Koné club earned Arouna Koné a €9.5m transfer to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven where Arouna Koné was given the coveted Number 10 shirt.During Arouna Koné time at Roda it was reported that Arouna Koné recommended fellow Ivorian striker Sekou Cissé to join the Eredivisie side.
Breakthrough to national team
Arouna played for the Mama Ouattara run Côte d'Ivoire youth team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, sporting the Number 8 shirt, where Arouna Koné starred alongside Lierse team mate Tohoua and the much talked about Antonin Koutouan. The team finished the group stage in second place, ahead of mexico national football team and Saudi Arabia national football team. They progressed to the knockout phase along with the Republic of Ireland national football team, where they were beaten by the United States men's national soccer team 2-0. Arouna scored three goals in the tournament, once in the 2-1 victory against Mexico, and twice in the 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland, and the official FIFA website declared Arouna to be a "crucial pivot for the attacking thrust" of the Ivorian team.Arouna made Arouna Koné Côte d'Ivoire senior international debut in March 2004 against tunisia national football team, where the Elephants were 2-0 victors. Arouna Koné wears the Number 9 shirt for Arouna Koné country, playing in the 2006 African Cup of Nations tournament, scoring once, where the Elephants were runners up to hosts Egypt national football team.
World Cup 2006
Arouna was selected to represent Arouna Koné nation in the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. Arouna Koné made appearances in all three group games for the Elephants, but did not score as the team were sent packing at the group stage. This was despite impressing with their attacking brand of football that saw them defeat Serbia and Montenegro national football team and give both argentina national football team and the netherlands national football team a real run for their money.Arouna was left on the bench for the first game against Argentina in Hamburg as Cote d'Ivoire adopted a more defensive approach against one of the tournament favourites. However, goals from Hernán Crespo and Javier Saviola quickly saw them playing catch up. Arouna replaced Abdul Kader Keïta on 77 minutes and five minutes later Didier Drogba fired them back into the game. Alas it was not enough as Argentina ran out 2-1 winners.
Cote d'Ivoire's second game brought a clear sense of déjà vu as they again quickly found themselves two goals down, this time against the Netherlands in Stuttgart. Robin Van Persie's free-kick and Ruud van Nistelrooy's sharp finish left them reeling but a brilliant individual goal from Arouna's brother Bakari soon fired them back into it. Arouna started up front alongside Drogba and twice came close to scoring. Early on Arouna Koné shrugged off the challenge of Giovanni van Bronckhorst only to fire wide and in the second half Arouna Koné blazed over after a smart team move that Arouna Koné had instigated. Arouna was replaced by Kanga Akalé 17 minutes from time. Alas, Arouna Koné team mates couldn't find an equaliser and their FIFA World Cup dream was effectively over.
Despite the intense disappointment of being knocked out after two games Cote d'Ivoire picked themselves up for their final Group C game against Serbia and Montenegro in Munich. The Serbs were also out and so an open game was expected. Astonishingly Cote d'Ivoire quickly fell 2-0 down, poor defending allowing Nikola Žigić and Saša Ilić (midfielder) to score. Just before half time a blatant hand ball in the area allowed Aruna Dindane to get Arouna Koné side back in the game. At the start of the second half Serbia were reduced to 10 men when Albert Nađ was dismissed for two bookings. A man up, Cote d'Ivoire took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and further strikes from Dindane, with a header, and a late penalty from Paris Saint-Germain striker Bonaventure Kalou after another hand ball saw them to a first ever win in the FIFA World Cup finals. Arouna started again, although Arouna Koné wasn't at Arouna Koné best, playing the full 90 minutes. The dream was over but Cote d'Ivoire had announced themselves on the world stage.
A football family
Arouna's older brother Bakari Koné also plays for the national side as a striker and plies Arouna Koné trade in the French Ligue 1 with Olympique de Marseille. The pair competed alongside one another in the World Cup, with Arouna providing the necessary run to clear space for Bakari's long range goal against the Netherlands in the 2-1 defeat on 16 June.Another brother, Karamoko Koné, is part of the reserve team set up at Arouna's former club Roda JC.
Arouna Koné also sends a proportion of Arouna Koné wages to Arouna Koné mother and family in Côte d'Ivoire. Speaking of Arouna Koné success in football, and Arouna Koné support of Arouna Koné family Arouna Koné is quoted as saying: "In Africa the solidarity for your family is very large. My father died when I was nine years old. My mother and my family have spent many years with difficulty. I am glad that I am now able support them."
2006/07 Season
Arouna enjoyed a successful first half of the 2006/07 season; this led to Arouna Koné stock in world football rising considerably. The PSV number 10 hit nine goals in the Eredivisie at almost a goal every other game. The Eindhoven side look well on course for another Dutch title, lying 11 points clear of second place AFC Ajax. Koné dovetailed well with strike-partner Jefferson Farfan, the Peruvian just edged out Arouna as PSV's top scorer at the winter break.Koné also made Arouna Koné mark at the top level, scoring twice as PSV cruised through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League including a vital winner in the 2-1 victory away to Galatasaray S.K..
Arouna was also shining at international level, bagging Arouna Koné first international hat-trick in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Gabon national football team in Abidjan. A game that saw the World Cup-finalists run riot in a 5-0 victory.
Arouna's successful 2006 finished on an appropriately high note as Arouna Koné was nominated as one of the Ivorian players of the year, an award eventually won by Arouna Koné international strike partner Didier Drogba.
During the January 2007 transfer window Arouna was linked with a number of moves away from PSV. Firstly English Premiership side Aston Villa F.C. were linked with a move for the forward, before Koné reportedly rejected a chance to move to Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
In March, Arouna suffered a knee injury in training, which ruled Arouna Koné out of many crucial games for club and country. Following Arouna Koné absence, PSVs seemingly insurmountable lead in the Eredivisie has gradually been crumbled away. After drawing 0-0 against Excelsior Rotterdam, losing to arch rivals Ajax 5-1, and scraping a 1-1 draw at NAC Breda, the Eindhoven sides lead has been cut to just three points by the start of April. Koné, along with Brazilian central defender Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, has also been ruled out of PSVs crucial Champions League last-16 ties against English Premiership giants Liverpool FC. Arouna was one of a number of notable absentees through injury for Ivory Coast's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar national football team. Fortunately, the Elephants were strong enough to survive the game without drama, coming through as 3-0 victors, with goals from Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Steve Gohouri, the RC Lens striker Aruna Dindane and Paris Saint-Germain frontman Amara Diané.
In May 2007 Koné picked up Arouna Koné second Eredivisie winners medal in two years with PSV claiming the title on the final day of the season on goal difference from rivals Ajax.
In June Arouna made Arouna Koné international comeback from injury in the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar. The game was played in the Northern city of Bouake as part of a peace initiative in Côte d'Ivoire, rather than Abidjan. Koné started the game as part of a front three, alongside Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou. 18 minutes in Kalou opened the scoring for the Elephants, with Arouna adding another before half time. The second half kicked off with AS Monaco midfielder Yaya Touré getting in on the act to score a third, before Arouna added Arouna Koné second - the Elephants fourth of the game. Drogba finished off the Madagascar defense with a fifth, and winning goal three minutes from the end. All in all, Arouna's international comeback was a complete success, and Arouna Koné impressive brace helped maintain the Elephants 100% record in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
2007/08 Season
Arouna endured a difficult start to PSVs new season in summer 2007. Due to a date mix-up Arouna Koné returned late to pre-season training following a holiday in Arouna Koné native Cote d'Ivoire thus missing out on valuable time to prepare for the new Eredivisie campaign. Added to this, Koné was struck down with the tropical disease Malaria at the end of July 2007, causing Arouna Koné to miss Arouna Koné clubs pre-season tournament - the Russian Railways Cup in Moscow. Minus their talented Number 10, PSV still managed to prosper, beating newly crowned UEFA Champions League holders AC Milan in the semi final and defeating Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid 2-1 to lift the trophy.In August 2007 it was announced that Arouna had returned to training following Arouna Koné health scare, and was expected to be fit in time for the teams first Eredivisie game against Heracles Almelo on 19 August.
On 17 August Arouna was named in the Cote d'Ivoire squad to face African Cup of Nations Champions Egypt in Paris on 22 August following Arouna Koné return from illness.
Arouna played the full 90 minutes in PSVs season opener against Heracles, with the Championship winning side running out 2-0 winners. Koné didn't score but reports surfaced on 20 August that scouts from English Premiership side Middlesbrough F.C. were in the stands, with the Ivorian the subject of their attention, and a £6m bid for Arouna Koné services in the pipeline. The following day news surfaced that Spanish La Liga outfit and UEFA Cup holders Sevilla F.C. were locked in talks with PSV to secure the forwards services, with negotiations apparently at an "advanced" stage.
On 28 August it was reported that Koné was due to complete Arouna Koné move to the La Liga side within the week, adding firepower and experience to a side who will be competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
On 30 August Sevilla F.C confirmed on its official website the signing of the Côte d'Ivoire international player for the next five years. The Spanish club reportedly paid €12 million in order to acquire Arouna's services.
On 12 September Koné was finally presented to the media as a Sevilla player having been assigned the number 22 shirt. The delay from Arouna Koné signing to Arouna Koné unveiling led to rumours that there were problems with the Ivorian's health - in particular Arouna Koné heart. However, Koné was quick to dispel such talk, with the real reason being due to the death of Sevilla wingback Antonio Puerta a few days previously. Arouna spoke about Arouna Koné ambitions for Arouna Koné latest move stating: "I know the team and I know that they have won many things in recent years, but I hope to be able to help them to win even more."
At Arouna Koné unveiling Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido commented that Arouna was 'one of the best attackers in the world' and with the Ivorian in their ranks, the Spanish side had their strongest side in their history.
Arouna Koné made Arouna Koné La Liga debut as a second half substitute for Mali national football team international Frédéric Kanouté in Sevilla's 4-1 victory over Recreativo Huelva on 16 September 2007. Arouna Koné won a penalty for the team, but strike partner Aleksandr Kerzhakov failed to convert. Following the game Koné commented that Arouna Koné felt fellow African Kanouté was one of the "best forwards in the world" and looked forward to striking up an attacking partnership with him.
On 25 September 2007 Arouna opened Arouna Koné scoring account for Sevilla in Arouna Koné second game for the club. The Seville side came from two goals down against rivals Espanyol to make it 2-2 following a Daniel Jarque own-goal and Arouna's spectacular header into the top corner from a Diego Capel cross. Espanyol eventually ran out 3-2 winners but the Ivorian striker had made Arouna Koné presence felt at Arouna Koné new team.
On 2 October 2007 Arouna opened Arouna Koné European account for Sevilla. The Ivorian was a second half substitute for the Spanish side in the group game against Czech Republic outfit Slavia Prague and scored within 10 minutes of Arouna Koné arrival, helping Sevilla to a 4-2 victory.
Koné was named in the Ivorian squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. Arouna Koné kept Arouna Koné number nine shirt but for the first two games sat on the bench alongside Arouna Koné brother Bakari having fallen behind Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Aruna Dindane in the Ivorian's impressive strike force. With the Ivorian side having qualified for the quarter finals with a game to spare however Arouna was reinstated in the Cote d'Ivoire line-up for the final group match against Mali national football team.
In April 2008 it was reported that Koné was to be shown the door at Sevilla in the summer of 2008, after a disappointing first season in La Liga. The forward, by 20 April, had only started six league games, and made substitute appearances in another 11. Arouna Koné lack of playing time, partly down to the form of fellow strikers Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanouté, and a bust up on the training ground with a member of the Sevilla training staff that was caught on Spanish television, made for some intense speculation about the Ivorian's future. Additionally, a trip to Rome to supposedly visit a brother, fueled reports that Koné would be making the switch to Serie A when the 2008 summer transfer window re-opened.
Arouna Koné has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool FC. It is highly speculated that Álvaro Arbeloa could be used as part of a swap deal. However, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are also interested in the striker. On Wednesday 23 July 2008 it was reported in English national newspaper 'The Times' that Koné had been offered to Middlesbrough F.C. by Sevilla.
2008-09 Season
At the start of the 2008/09 season, Koné was given the number nine shirt for Arouna Koné club side following the departure of Aleksandr Kerzhakov to FC Dynamo Moscow, and was also called up to the Ivorian squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Guinea national football team on 20 August, 2008. Unfortunately, Arouna suffered a serious knee injury during the match, and it was expected that Arouna Koné would miss much of the upcoming La Liga season.A scan showed that Arouna had suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in Arouna Koné left leg, and the striker underwent surgery to repair the damage the following week, commenting that Arouna Koné was sure of playing football again that season..
On 4 February 2009 it was reported that Arouna was back in training with Sevilla, and would be expected to return to first-team action in a matter of weeks, following Arouna Koné serious knee injury..
Arouna Koné made Arouna Koné first-team return in March 2009, after seven months on the sidelines.
Life outside professional football
Away from playing for Sevilla and the Côte d'Ivoire national team, Koné is a practising Muslim. Arouna Koné prays five times a day, and also wears the traditional West African Islamic dress, the Boubou (clothing), on holidays and on Fridays - the Islamic day of public worship.Koné was also reportedly setting up Arouna Koné own footballing academy, which was due to be completed in December 2005. It was to have the capacity to take up to 50 children when operational.
On 21 August 2007 Arouna became a proud father after Arouna Koné wife gave birth to the couple's first child - a boy named Amidou. The Ivorian stated that both mother and child were doing well and that Arouna Koné was absolutely delighted.
http://hendrasyahputra-a.blogspot.com/atom.xml 
