Koné Zié has signed his first professional contract with Brazilian giants Palmeiras.
The 18-year-old Ivorian defender announced the milestone on his Instagram account, marking a major step in his career.
Zié joined Palmeiras’ youth academy in 2023 after developing at Jean Evrard Kouassi’s academy, JEK FC, in Ivory Coast.
Since then, he has impressed coaches with his composure, tactical awareness and defensive versatility.
His progression through the youth ranks now culminates in his first senior professional deal.
Reports from L’Intello du Foot Ivoirien reveal that Zié’s contract includes a release clause of €100 million.
The figure reflects his potential and the high regard the club places on their young talent.
Such a valuation positions him as one of the most promising African prospects currently in South America.
Interest in Zié is already growing.
Sources indicate Real Madrid has been monitoring his development closely since his arrival at Palmeiras.
The Spanish giants’ attention highlights the defender’s rising profile and the likelihood of future transfer speculation.
Palmeiras have a history of nurturing young talent and offering them a pathway to top-flight football.
Zié now joins the ranks of academy graduates making the transition to professional football at a prestigious club.
His move also reinforces the club’s reputation for scouting emerging talent from Africa and integrating them into Brazilian football.
For Koné Zié, the professional contract represents more than financial security; it validates years of training, discipline and ambition.
It also signals the start of what could be an exciting career at both club and international levels.
Fans and scouts alike will watch closely as he takes the next steps in his journey.
If Zié continues his upward trajectory, European clubs could soon compete for his signature.
For now, he remains focused on Palmeiras, where he will aim to impress in the senior setup and solidify his position as a rising defensive star.
