Ousmane Diakite, who previously won the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with Mali, has officially signed a two-year deal with West Brom. The 23-year-old midfielder joins the club from TSV Hartberg in the Austrian Bundelisga, where he played 34 matches last season, scoring two goals and receiving two red cards. Diakite expressed his excitement about the move, stating that playing in England has always been a dream of his and he is eager to start this new chapter in his career.
West Brom’s head coach, Carlos Corberan, welcomed Diakite as the first signing of the summer for the team. Following their loss to Southampton in the Championship play-offs, the club released seven players, including winger Matt Phillips. Corberan believes that Diakite’s youth and talent make him a valuable addition to the team, praising his ability to facilitate transitions from defense to attack with his skills on the ball. Diakite’s signing marks the beginning of what is expected to be a busy transfer window for West Brom as they prepare for the upcoming season.