# Amadou Koné (footballer, born 2005)
**Amadou Koné** (born 2005 in Bamako, Mali) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a defensive and central midfielder for NEOM SC of the [Saudi Pro League](https://www.edgepedia.org/saudi-pro-league) and represents Côte d'Ivoire at international level.[1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) • [2](https://www.fotmob.com/players/1572809) Born in Mali but raised in Côte d'Ivoire, he developed at Ivorian and Malian academies, came to prominence with [Stade de Reims](https://www.edgepedia.org/stade-de-reims) in [Ligue 1](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-1), and moved to Saudi Arabia in July 2025 in a transfer reported between roughly €12 million and €13.3 million.[3](https://cinews.ci/stade-de-reims-amadou-kone-fierte-de-lacademie-afrique-football-elite/) • [4](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875) • [5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2005, Bamako, Mali; Ivorian citizenship; eligible for both Ivory Coast and Mali[1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) • [6](https://www.scoutbase.football/players/amadou-kon-PCIVKONAMABAM20050514) |
| Position and profile | Defensive midfielder (also central midfield), left-footed, listed at 1.78 m[1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) • [7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/) |
| Clubs | Afrique Foot Élite (Mali, 2022–23); Stade de Reims 2023–2025; NEOM SC from July 2025, contract to 30 June 2029[7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/) • [1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) |
| Senior debut | Ligue 1, October 2023 against Toulouse, under head coach Will Still; first start against Nantes in January[8](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/) |
| International | Ivory Coast U-23 debut March 2024; first senior call-up September 2026 under Hervé Renard; 1 senior cap[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) • [10](https://allafrica.com/stories/202609170188.html) • [1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) |
| Honours | Coupe de France runner-up with Reims (2024/25); African Youth Cup U-18 Best Player[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) |
| Reported transfer fee | €12 million (sport365.fr), €13.3 million (Sofascore), around £10 million (Leeds United News); no fee in the official announcement[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [4](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875) • [11](https://www.leedsunited.news/transfers/who-is-amadou-kone-meet-the-leeds-united-target-who-swapped-french-football-for-saudi-riches/) |
## Early life and youth career
Koné was born in Bamako, Mali, but spent his childhood in Côte d'Ivoire, and this background shaped his international choice. Asked about his eligibility, he said: "It is true that I am Malian, but I grew up in Côte d'Ivoire. I spent my entire childhood in Côte d'Ivoire."[3](https://cinews.ci/stade-de-reims-amadou-kone-fierte-de-lacademie-afrique-football-elite/) He trained at the Centre De Formation Magic System in Côte d'Ivoire before joining the Malian academy Afrique Football Élite, where he was registered from July 2022 to July 2023.[12](https://www.afrik-foot.com/monaco-sous-le-charme-dun-espoir-ivoirien-de-ligue-1) • [7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/)
His pathway followed a pattern well documented in scholarship on African football: since the 1990s, academies across the continent have been a central feature of the trade in African football labor to Europe.[13](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0193723507300481) Ivorian academies in particular have produced players of the caliber of [Kolo Touré](https://www.edgepedia.org/kolo-toure) and [Yaya Touré](https://www.edgepedia.org/yaya-toure), graduates of ASEC Mimosas who formed part of [Ivory Coast](https://www.edgepedia.org/ivory-coast)'s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.[14](https://repub.eur.nl/pub/126950/Africa-SDP-and-sports-academies.pdf) Koné named Yaya Touré as his own role model.[3](https://cinews.ci/stade-de-reims-amadou-kone-fierte-de-lacademie-afrique-football-elite/)
After being named Best Player at the African Youth Cup (U-18), he joined Stade de Reims in July 2023 at age 18, initially linking up with the club's U19 and reserve sides.[3](https://cinews.ci/stade-de-reims-amadou-kone-fierte-de-lacademie-afrique-football-elite/) • [9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) • [7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/)
## Club career
**Reims.** Head coach [Will Still](https://www.edgepedia.org/will-still) gave Koné his Ligue 1 debut against Toulouse in October 2023, and by January he had made his first top-flight start, against Nantes.[8](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/) His rise was quick: by early 2024, after ten Ligue 1 matches including the previous nine, L'Équipe reported interest from AS Monaco in the then-18-year-old, valued at €1 million by Transfermarkt at the time.[12](https://www.afrik-foot.com/monaco-sous-le-charme-dun-espoir-ivoirien-de-ligue-1)
The 2024/25 season was his breakthrough. He made 30 appearances for Reims across all competitions that campaign, played a role in the club's run to the 2024/25 [Coupe de France](https://www.edgepedia.org/coupe-de-france) final, which Reims finished as runners-up, and drew reported interest from [OGC Nice](https://www.edgepedia.org/ogc-nice) after Reims' relegation to [Ligue 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-2), as well as from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Olympique de Marseille.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) • [15](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-international-amadou-kone-attracts-ogc-nice-interest-after-breakout-season-with-reims/) In April 2025, before the relegation outcome, a deal in the region of €25 million had been reported as the price expected to take him from his formative club, with Manchester United and Liverpool linked.[16](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/04/amadou-kone-profile-position-playing-style-comparisons-us) In total he made 48 appearances for Reims, including 40 in Ligue 1.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone)
**NEOM SC.** NEOM Sports Club announced his signing from Reims on 30 June 2025, with Transfermarkt recording the formal move on 3 July 2025 and a contract running to 30 June 2029.[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) • [1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) The fee was reported as €12 million by the [French press](https://www.edgepedia.org/french-press), €13.3 million by Sofascore, and around £10 million by English club media; the official announcement gave no figure.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [4](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875) • [11](https://www.leedsunited.news/transfers/who-is-amadou-kone-meet-the-leeds-united-target-who-swapped-french-football-for-saudi-riches/) In his debut Saudi Pro League campaign he anchored NEOM's midfield, making 32 league appearances (2,806 minutes by Opta's count) with 2 goals and 1 assist, and 33 appearances across all competitions.[17](https://theanalyst.com/players/3699/amadou-kone/career) • [11](https://www.leedsunited.news/transfers/who-is-amadou-kone-meet-the-leeds-united-target-who-swapped-french-football-for-saudi-riches/)
## International career
Koné made his Ivory Coast U-23 debut in March 2024.[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) In September 2026, head coach [Hervé Renard](https://www.edgepedia.org/herve-renard) named him, aged 21, among eight newcomers in his first Côte d'Ivoire squad since returning, for the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.[10](https://allafrica.com/stories/202609170188.html) Transfermarkt credits him with 1 senior cap and 0 goals, from his September 2026 debut era.[1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) • [2](https://www.fotmob.com/players/1572809) Because he was born in Bamako, he remains eligible for Mali as well; ScoutBase lists him as eligible for both countries.[6](https://www.scoutbase.football/players/amadou-kon-PCIVKONAMABAM20050514)
## Playing style
Koné is a left-footed defensive midfielder whose role is typically that of a ball-winning player. According to the data analytics firm SciSports, he is strong at retaining possession and his dribbling is another solid aspect of his game; he is most effective defensively when breaking up opponents attacking in transition, but does not press particularly well himself.[16](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/04/amadou-kone-profile-position-playing-style-comparisons-us) SciSports compares him favorably to Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool, Moises Caicedo of Chelsea, and Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa.[16](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/04/amadou-kone-profile-position-playing-style-comparisons-us)
The statistical record supports that profile. Among midfielders under 23 across Europe's top five leagues, he ranked in the top four for the highest percentage of defensive duels won, and in the top four among under-21 midfielders for successful dribbles; at Reims he also ranked among Ligue 1's top young midfielders for tackles won and progressive carries out of deep areas.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [8](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/) • [11](https://www.leedsunited.news/transfers/who-is-amadou-kone-meet-the-leeds-united-target-who-swapped-french-football-for-saudi-riches/) His teammates at Reims nicknamed him "Le Bâtiment" ("The Building"), a reference to his physical dominance and composure in duels.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [8](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/)
## By the numbers
Database figures for Koné differ between providers, and the discrepancies are noted where they occur. For Ligue 1 2023/24, FBref records 16 appearances (4 starts, 475 minutes) and Opta Analyst 16 appearances (466 minutes).[18](https://fbref.com/en/players/2eb1ec07/Amadou-Kone) • [17](https://theanalyst.com/players/3699/amadou-kone/career) For 2024/25 the providers diverge: FBref gives 21 appearances (14 starts, 1,085 minutes) while Opta Analyst gives 24 appearances (1,299 minutes) and FootballTransfers 24 matches (1,376 minutes).[18](https://fbref.com/en/players/2eb1ec07/Amadou-Kone) • [17](https://theanalyst.com/players/3699/amadou-kone/career) • [19](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/players/amadou-kone-3/stats) Across his two Reims Ligue 1 seasons, worldfootball.net totals 40 appearances (21 starts, 1,787 minutes) with 5 yellow cards, 1 second yellow, and 1 red.[7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/) He scored no goals in Ligue 1.[18](https://fbref.com/en/players/2eb1ec07/Amadou-Kone)
In cup football he made 6 Coupe de France appearances (387 minutes) for Reims and, with NEOM, 2 King's Cup appearances (107 minutes).[7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/) In Saudi Arabia, Opta records 32 league appearances (2,806 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist) in 2025/26 and 8 appearances (669 minutes, 3 goals, 2 assists) early in 2026/27, while FBref gives 7 appearances, 626 minutes, 4 goals, and 1 assist for 2026/27; worldfootball.net totals 39 Saudi Pro League appearances, all starts, with 6 goals and 2 assists.[17](https://theanalyst.com/players/3699/amadou-kone/career) • [18](https://fbref.com/en/players/2eb1ec07/Amadou-Kone) • [7](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/)
His market value has risen steeply. Transfermarkt valued him at €1 million in early 2024 and €4 million in mid-2025; by June 2026 it listed €7.00 million.[12](https://www.afrik-foot.com/monaco-sous-le-charme-dun-espoir-ivoirien-de-ligue-1) • [15](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-international-amadou-kone-attracts-ogc-nice-interest-after-breakout-season-with-reims/) • [1](https://www.transfermarkt.us/amadou-kone/profil/spieler/1178474) FotMob estimates €8.9 million (peaking at €9 million on 1 August 2026), Sofascore €6.6 million, and FootballTransfers an estimated transfer value range of €7.6 million to €10.3 million.[2](https://www.fotmob.com/players/1572809) • [4](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875) • [19](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/players/amadou-kone-3/stats) At Reims he was reportedly earning about €120,000 per year under a contract to June 2028.[15](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-international-amadou-kone-attracts-ogc-nice-interest-after-breakout-season-with-reims/)
## What has changed since 2023
Koné's trajectory over three years runs from academy signing to established professional. In July 2023 he arrived at Reims from Afrique Football Élite after an African Youth Cup individual award; by October 2023 he was a Ligue 1 debutant, and by 2024/25 a regular who started 17 of his 24 league matches by one count and reached the Coupe de France final.[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone) • [8](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/) • [15](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-international-amadou-kone-attracts-ogc-nice-interest-after-breakout-season-with-reims/) Reims' relegation redirected him to Saudi Arabia for a fee reported at €12 million to €13.3 million, and by September 2026 he was in a senior Côte d'Ivoire squad under Hervé Renard.[5](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html) • [4](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875) • [10](https://allafrica.com/stories/202609170188.html)
## Honours
- **Coupe de France runner-up**: 2024/25, with Stade de Reims[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone)
- **African Youth Cup U-18 Best Player**: individual award[9](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone)
## References
He is a midfielder born in Bamako who represents Côte d'Ivoire, distinct from a same-named Canadian-born forward born in 2005.
1. [NEOM S.C. signs Ivory Coast youth midfielder Amadou Koné from Stade de Reims, NEOM Sports Club](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone)
2. [Amadou Koné – stats, career and market value, FotMob](https://www.fotmob.com/players/1572809)
3. [Stade de Reims : Amadou Koné fierté de l'académie Afrique Football Élite, CINEWS](https://cinews.ci/stade-de-reims-amadou-kone-fierte-de-lacademie-afrique-football-elite/)
4. [Amadou Koné stats and ratings, Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/kone-amadou/1586875)
5. [Reims : Convoité en L1, Amadou Koné file en Arabie Saoudite (officiel), Sport365](https://www.sport365.fr/reims-convoite-l1-amadou-kone-file-arabie-saoudite-officiel-10716387.html)
6. [Amadou Koné – Player Profile, ScoutBase](https://www.scoutbase.football/players/amadou-kon-PCIVKONAMABAM20050514)
7. [Amadou Koné: Career, Stats & Clubs, worldfootball.net](https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1101786/amadou-kone/)
8. [Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné departs Stade de Reims for Neom SC in Saudi move, AfricaSoccer](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-midfielder-amadou-kone-departs-stade-de-reims-for-neom-sc-in-saudi-move/)
9. [NEOM S.C. signs Ivory Coast youth midfielder Amadou Koné from Stade de Reims, NEOM Sports Club](https://www.neom.com/en-us/neom-sports-club/news/neom-sc-signs-ivory-coast-youth-midfielder-amadou-kone)
10. [Afcon 2027 Qualifiers – Renard Begins Cote d'Ivoire Rebuild With Eight Newcomers, allAfrica](https://allafrica.com/stories/202609170188.html)
11. [Who is Amadou Kone? Meet the Leeds United target, Leeds United News](https://www.leedsunited.news/transfers/who-is-amadou-kone-meet-the-leeds-united-target-who-swapped-french-football-for-saudi-riches/)
12. [Monaco sous le charme d'un espoir ivoirien de Ligue 1, Afrik-Foot](https://www.afrik-foot.com/monaco-sous-le-charme-dun-espoir-ivoirien-de-ligue-1)
13. [Darby, Akindes and Kirwin (2007). Football Academies and the Migration of African Football Labor to Europe. Sage journals](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0193723507300481)
14. [Darby, Esson and Ungruhe. Africa, SDP and sports academies](https://repub.eur.nl/pub/126950/Africa-SDP-and-sports-academies.pdf)
15. [Ivorian international Amadou Koné attracts OGC Nice interest after breakout season with Reims, AfricaSoccer](https://africasoccer.com/ivorian-international-amadou-kone-attracts-ogc-nice-interest-after-breakout-season-with-reims/)
16. [Who is Amadou Kone? The next Moises Caicedo being chased by Man Utd and Liverpool, FootballTransfers](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/04/amadou-kone-profile-position-playing-style-comparisons-us)
17. [Amadou Koné Career History, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/3699/amadou-kone/career)
18. [Amadou Koné Stats, FBref](https://fbref.com/en/players/2eb1ec07/Amadou-Kone)
19. [Amadou Koné Stats, FootballTransfers](https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/players/amadou-kone-3/stats)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of Africa › West African footballers › Ghanaian and Ivorian footballers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license