Sunderland defender Lamine Kone has joined Strasbourg in a permanent deal after spending the last season on loan at the French club.
It brings to an end an unhappy three and a half year spell with the club for the Ivorian central defender, who signed from Lorient in January 2016 under then manager Sam Allardyce.
Kone was a key part in the Black Cats side which fought off relegation that season, with a series of impressive displays endearing him to the Wearside faithful.
But following Allardyce's departure that summer, he failed to replicate his early form as the Black Cats were relegation from the Premier League in 2017.
The club had turned down a bid in the region of £16m for Kone from Everton in August 2016, but while many were pleased with that decision at the time, it turned out to be an error with the benefit of hindsight.
Kone struggled to force his way into the first team in the Championship under Simon Grayson, and then Chris Coleman, as the Black Cats were relegated for a second time.
He joined Strasbourg on loan last summer after as new manager Jack Ross made it clear he wasn't in his plans for the coming season.
And in a statement today, Sunderland confirmed Kone's departure.
It read: "Sunderland AFC can confirm that Lamine Kone has joined Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace for an undisclosed fee.
"The 30-year-old defender, who moved to the Stadium of Light in January 2016, spent last season on loan with the Ligue 1 outfit, making 31 appearances in all competitions."
While the fee has not been disclosed, French newspaper L'Alsace claimed last week that a €1.5million deal had been reached between the two clubs.
