Relegation-threatened Sunderland on Wednesday signed Ivory Coast defender Lamine Kone from French side Lorient for an undisclosed fee, the English Premier League club announced.

The 26-year-old French-born centre-back signed a deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until the end of 2020 season.

"Strengthening our defensive options was a priority for us and Lamine is a player that has impressed me when I've seen him play," said Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce.

"He is big and strong, attributes you need to play in central defence in the Premier League, and his arrival will give us healthy competition for places in a key position."

Kone represented France at youth level before making his full international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2014.

Sunderland are currently second from bottom of the table, having conceded 46 goals in 23 games for the worst defensive record in the top flight.