The Indian football transfer season is in full swing and some clubs have been very active with their acquisitions. One such club is Chennaiyin FC who have announced the arrival of their star defender Fallou Diagne. The Senegalese defender has priori Ligue 1 and Bundesliga experience and is looking to be the leader at the back in this new era down south.
Diagne has been a journeyman to say the least, he currently joins Chennaiyin FC from Albanian outfit KF Vllaznia. He featured there under Chennaiyin FC’s new boss Thomas Brdaric, so it is pretty sure that the new boss trusts Diagne a lot to bring him to Indian shores along with him.
The Senegalese defender started his career at French club FC Metz where he learned the nitty gritties of the game and gradually moved up the age group level. He then featured for their senior team before moving on to Germany where he plied his trade for SC Freiburg. He then kept moving from France and Germany as he featured for teams like Stade Rennais and Werder Bremen. He even returned to Metz FC as a loanee before moving out to Turkey and featuring for Konyaspor.
Overall Diagna has featured in 78 Ligue 1 matches for Rennais and Metz combined and has also featured in over 50 matches in the Ligue 2 while amassing over 50 appearances in the Bundelsiga aswell during his time at SC Freiburg and Werder Bremen. Hence there is no doubt in his abilities as he has a tremendous amount of experience and exposure. He is someone who is physical, has aerial presence and can pass the ball with aplomb.
Speaking about signing Diagna, Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani shared how Diagne’s experience from France and Germany will help the other players in the team. She said, “We are thrilled to welcome Fallou Diagne as our first new foreign signing ahead of the upcoming season. It’s always good to bring in a player that the coach has worked with before. The experience he brings, having played in the German and French first-tier leagues, will be invaluable to our young squad.”
Chennaiyin FC’s new coach is also very happy that he has managed to bring Diagne to India as he feels that the Senegalese will help him stabilize the backline as he radiates calmness. “Diagne is a very experienced player who should stabilize and lead the defense. He radiates a calmness on the ball and is also an absolute role model in terms of discipline and diligence. He will acclimate quickly and be an important part of the team,” Thomas Brdaric explained.
The 32-year-old defender has featured in the Africa Cup of Nations for reigning champions Senegal. He featured in three matches and played alongside star players like Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane.
“I am excited because this is my first time in India. I am very happy to join Chennaiyin FC and I hope to bring something to the team so that together we win more titles,” the 32-year-old shared in great joy and excitement.
