Richard Kone was born in the Ivory Coast, where, at one point, he found himself homeless and surviving on the streets. Now, five years later, he is the joint top goalscorer in English League One. This is the incredible story of how one opportunity transformed his life forever.
Born on the 15th of July 2003 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Richard Kone’s rise to prominence began in the most challenging of circumstances. After being kicked out of his family home, he was forced to live on the streets. In 2019, Kone reflected on this period, saying, “It is terribly difficult being homeless in my country. When you ask for a little bit of help, they ignore you.” Because of his circumstances, Richard never had the chance to finish school. But at the age of 17, everything changed when he was handed a lifeline.
New Beginnings
A friend introduced Richard to the president of Don’t Forget Them—an association that uses sport to help people in extremely difficult situations. This connection opened the door to his true passion: football. Richard fell in love with the game and trained every single day. A coach told him that if he worked hard enough, he could earn a spot in a program for the Homeless World Cup, a tournament designed to give homeless individuals a platform to showcase their talent.
True to his word, Richard worked tirelessly and was selected to represent the Ivory Coast at the 2019 Homeless World Cup. This opportunity proved to be a massive turning point in his life. Without it, no one knows what path his life might have taken. At ScoutR, we are on a mission to give everyone, everywhere, an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming a professional footballer. If you’re looking for your chance to showcase your talent, download the ScoutR app today.
Signing for Athletic Newman
After making a strong impression at the Homeless World Cup, Richard’s journey took him to the UK. Two years later, he signed for London-based ninth division side, Athletic Newman, where he quickly made an impact. Richard’s goal-scoring ability was undeniable, netting over 100 goals in just three seasons.
A Move to Wycombe Wanderers
As his talent drew attention from higher-division clubs, Richard faced a challenge: he couldn’t sign professionally due to visa issues. But Wycombe Wanderers stepped in, completing a lengthy process to secure his signing. In January 2024, after a period of training with the team, Kone officially joined the club once his visa problems were resolved.
Richard wasted no time proving his worth. Days after signing, he came on as a substitute in a Football League Trophy quarter-final clash against West Ham U21s and scored the winning goal within minutes of entering the pitch.
Now 21, Richard Kone is a first-team regular. He recently scored against Aston Villa in the League Cup and is currently joint top scorer in League One.
A Dream Turned Reality
Before playing in the 2019 Homeless World Cup, Richard said, “I would like to be successful at the tournament. If not, I would like to go back to school because I didn’t have that chance. Maybe I could become a lawyer or doctor—who knows?”
How ScoutR Is Changing The Game
Richard Kone’s story shows that talent exists everywhere, but the traditional scouting system often lets players like him slip through the net. While his journey is extraordinary, we are working towards a future where these stories will become far more common.
Through ScoutR, we aim to make this possible. Our app connects aspiring footballers with professional scouts worldwide, giving everyone the chance to go pro. Download ScoutR today and take control of your future.
