Sunderland defender Lamine Kone has signed a new five-year contract at the club.
The defender was strongly linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light this summer, with a move to Everton widely speculated.
However, The Black Cats refused to let the defender leave during the transfer window and have now tied him down to a new five year contract with the club.
Manager David Moyes said:
Lamine is an important player for this club and I made that clear to him from the outset.
He has only been playing in the Premier League since January, but in that time we have already seen what he is capable of.
The challenge for Lamine now is to build on what has been a very positive introduction to English football and to continue to improve and grow as a player.
Kone joined Sunderland nine months ago, joining from French club Lorient.