Portugal
Sporting Clube sign Mali international Abdoulaye Diaby
The striker joins from Belgian champions Club Brugge on a new contract that includes a 60-million-euro release clause.
Mali international Abdoulay Diaby has officially signed for Portuguese giants Sporting Clube from Belgium champions Club Brugge.
The 27-year-old striker, who joined Sporting for an undisclosed fee, agreed on a five-year deal that includes a 60-million-euro release clause.
Diaby: ‘Portuguese football has great clubs’
In an interview with Sporting’s official website , Diaby said he was very happy to join a championship with a high football level.
‘I am very happy to be here. Sporting CP is a great club and as soon as I heard about the possibility of coming here I did not hesitate,’ Diaby said.
‘I know that Portuguese football has great clubs, that are always participating in European competitions.
‘The championship level is good and I think it might be interesting for me.’
Born in France to Malian parents, Diaby joined Club Brugge from French outfit Lille in July 2015, scoring 36 goals over 108 appearances with the Belgian side.
He has been capped 12 times by Mali since 2014, including an appearance at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Earlier this year, the striker featured in an international friendly 1-1 draw with Japan in which he scored.
Diaby is now expected to be called up for the 2019 Afcon qualifier trip to South Sudan next month.