EPL Transfer News: Wigan Seal Capture of Ivory Coast International Arouna Kone From Levante

Aug 14, 2012 11:52 PM EDT

Wigan sealed a fantastic signing by agreeing a deal with Levante for Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone.

Kone signed a three-year contract with the club after both parties agreed an undisclosed fee, believed to be €3.5 million (£2.7 million, $4.2 million).

Levante only exercised the option to make the deal permanent in the summer, after the 28-year-old spent the entire last season on loan with the club from Sevilla, where he struggled to make an impact after signing for them in 2007.

Kone, however, found form with Levante, scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances last season, and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will be hoping the Ivorian provides his side with the goals needed to stay safe in the highly competitive English Premier League.

"He's a player that we've been chasing for a long long time," Martinez said.

"We know Arouna really well, he has got tremendous experience in European football and we've really enjoyed watching his goal-scoring talent.

"He's a strong payer with a clinical touch and someone who will bring us something different up front."

Before arriving in Spain, Kone spent four years in the Netherlands, joining Roda JC in 2003. He made 63 appearances and scored 27 goals for the Dutch side before linking up with PSV Eindhoven. Kone achieved much success with PSV, winning two league titles and scoring 21 goals from 53 matches.

The striker has also made 35 appearances for Ivory Coast, scoring 9 goals.

This is Wigan's second signing in two days, after they completed the loan capture of Arsenal youngster Ryo Miyaichi, however the future of Victor Moses still hangs in the balance with Chelsea still chasing the 21-year-old's signature.

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