AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of French centre-back Bafodé Diakité from Ligue 1 side Lille OSC.
The twenty-four-year-old joins the Cherries after making one hundred and seven appearances for Lille in all competitions. Before that, he came through at Toulouse, making his Ligue 1 debut aged just seventeen in a one-nil win over Reims.
Diakité will immediately link up with manager Andoni Iraola’s squad, who are preparing for their Premier League season opener at home to Liverpool on Friday evening.
Tiago Pinto, AFC Bournemouth’s President of Football Operations, said the defender’s experience and ambition were a strong fit for the club. He added that the signing followed other summer arrivals including Adrien Truffert, Djordje Petrovic, and Junior Kroupi.
Diakité said he was looking forward to playing in the Premier League and believed the team’s style under Iraola suited his game. “I’m really happy to be here and I’m very excited to start with the team,” he said. He explained that he enjoys playing with the ball at his feet and aims to contribute both in and out of possession.
He also expressed his determination to make an impact, saying he would give everything for the club and hoped for many positive moments with supporters over the season.
The France Under-21 international, who can play across the back line, will wear the number eighteen shirt for Bournemouth. His arrival adds further depth and competition to the defensive options available to Iraola ahead of a challenging league campaign.
Diakité’s move comes after a summer of transfer activity at the Vitality Stadium as the Cherries aim to strengthen their squad for the season ahead. His top-flight experience in France, including domestic league and European competition, is expected to be a valuable addition.
**Background info:**
* Diakité played in Lille’s 2020-21 Ligue 1 title-winning squad, featuring regularly in defence.
* He has appeared in the UEFA Champions League and Europa Conference League during his career.
* Known for his versatility, he has been deployed both as a central defender and as a full-back.