Rayon Sports forward Tidiane Koné has joined Zambian Premier League side Napsa Stars on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee—the Malian signed the contract on Friday in Lusaka.

The 29-year old joined Rayon Sports in February 2017 and went on held the club to win the Azam Rwanda Premier League. Koné was brought in to replace countryman Ismaila Diarrra, who was headed to DR Congo’s DC Motema Pembe.

Despite scoring some crucial goals during his one-year spell at Rayon Sports, Koné failed to nail down a regular place in the first team, especially since the arrival of head coach Olivier Karekezi, who has used him as a backup striker.

However, the Malian, who still had six months of on Rayon Sports’ deal, is expected to return to Kigali to terminate the contract with his parent club but after paying US$2,500 (about Rwf2.1m).

Napsa Stars has no big history in Zambia football—last season, the club finished 7th in the 20-team league table with 58 points from 38 games. Zesco United claimed the league title with 74 points, one point ahead of second-placed Zanazo FC.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw