Born in Bamako, the capital of Mali, on the third of February 2006, Sékou Koné joined the JMG Academy, which had been established by former French midfielder Jean-Marc Guillou, before signing for Guidars, a club based in the city of his birth.
He played for Mali’s Under-17s side in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, helping his national team earn a fourth-place finish in the tournament. His performances were impressive enough to mean that he was named in the Team of the Tournament at its conclusion, which garnered interest from a number of high-profile European clubs.
🔴🎥 | Sékou Koné scores an INCREDIBLE half-volley for Manchester United Under-21s against Leeds! #MUFC [@academyarenaUTD]
— ᗩᗰOᖇIᗰᖇEᗪᔕ🎖️ (@amorimreds.bsky.social) March 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
In spite of interest from Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian side, as well as both Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, Koné chose to join the Manchester United Academy. That was on the 30th of August 2024, with the youngster impressing thanks to his ball-winning style as well as his stamina.
His drive allows him to get involved in attacking moves as well as track back and break up opposition attacks, earning comparisons to former Manchester City player Yaya Touré. High praise indeed, in spite of the fact that Touré played for one of United’s fiercest rivals.