Ittihad Kalba seal Kone signing

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  • Kalba-bound: Kone (foreground).

    Yo-yo club Ittihad Kalba’s last-minute remodelling has continued with the addition of ex-Dibba Al Fujairah loanee Bakary Kone.

    Kone, 27, impressed on the eastern coast last season as his seven goals and five assists in 24 games helped the promoted side avoid relegation. But another deal could not be agreed with Wydad Casablanca for the Ivorian attacking midfielder.

    This presented an opportunity to swoop, with the new boy replacing discarded summer signing Carmelo Gonzalez in the four-player foreign quota.

    There hs been rampant change at the Tigers, with Italian Fabio Viviani replacing coach Mourad Okbi and July purchase Yahia Kebe not being registered for action.

    “Ivorian Bakary Kone, the player of Wydad Casablanca, has been purchased by Ittihad Kalba,” the club tweeted. “This came after Wydad gave their final permission.”

    The uncertainty about Kebe’s future means they are likely to be pursuing one more non-Emirati ahead of September 16’s top-flight kick-off at Dibba. Iraq centre-back Salam Shaker and prolific Romanian forward Mihai Costea should still be retained.

    In the domestic market, they have permanently brought in midfielders Mohammed Al Khdeim and Hamad Al Hosani from Ajman, plus Emirates Club defender Eissa Abdullah. Loan deals have been secured for promising U-21 League top scorer Shaheen Surour from Al Jazira and Al Nasr goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Baloshi.

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