Marseille sign Canada's Kone for reported $19M fee

Marseille completed the signing of Canadian international Ismael Kone from Watford on Friday.

The French club will pay around $19 million for the midfielder, reports Adam Leventhal of The Athletic. The transfer fee includes add-ons.

The 22-year-old was identified by incoming Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi as an ideal player to bolster the French side's midfield, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Marseille beat teams from France, England, and Italy to the ascendant talent, who has started both of Canada's matches at the Copa America thus far.

Kone's enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years.

He made his Canada debut in March 2022 and has compiled 21 caps for the national team since. Kone joined English Championship club Watford from CF Montreal later in 2022 for a fee believed to be around $5 million and scored four goals in 63 appearances for the club.

"I have no doubt that Ismael has an incredible future," Canada coach Jesse Marsch said earlier this week, according to Joshua Kloke of The Athletic. "And I'm just trying to add to who he is, both from a mental perspective and from a tactical perspective."