Everton sign Arouna Kone from Wigan Athletic

Arouna Kone (right) fends off Swansea player

Everton have signed Ivory Coast international Arouna Kone on a three year deal from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed sum.

The towering Ivorian is the first signing of the new Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, who took over reigns from David Moyes for the next season at Goodison Park.

Other than Everton, Newcastle were also chasing the Ivory Coast international’s signing. It is believed that Newcastle even met his release clause but the Ivorian preferred to move to Merseyside instead as it is understood that Everton offered a better wage package than Newcastle.

Kone had an impressive season in Premier League last year, as he scored 11 goals for a club which got relegated from the Premier League.

Interestingly, it was Martinez who signed him on a three-year deal from Spanish side Levante last year.

First hint of this move came when the current Wigan manager, Owen Coyle, said early last week that he expects Kone to leave the club with Everton being his first choice.

Kone, in the past, has also played for teams like Lierse SK in Belgium, Dutch sides Roda JC and PSV, Sevilla and Levante in Spain.

For national team, Ivory Coast, he has featured in three African Cup of Nations and was also a member of the squad in World Cup in Germany in 2006.

Source: BBC Sport