Diakite linked straight up with Andoni Iraola\u2019s squad, who face Liverpool in the Premier League season opener on Friday evening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy to be here, and I\u2019m very excited to start with the team. I know the coach has great ideas which enables us to play well in the Premier League. Now I\u2019m at the club, it\u2019s a good opportunity to show how I can help the team going forward.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m a defender who likes to have the ball and play with it, and I hope to show my qualities both with and without it. I will give everything for the team and I hope we will have some great moments together,\u201d said Diakite in a statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He began playing football at the age of seven with Toulouse ACF before joining Toulouse\u2019s academy at 12. In December 2018, at just 17 years old, Diakite made his first senior start for Toulouse in a Ligue 1 match against Reims. After nine years with his boyhood club, he left in August 2022 to sign for Lille.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
During the 2024\/25 season, Diakite established himself as one of Lille\u2019s key players, forming one of the league\u2019s most solid central defensive partnerships alongside Alexsandro.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Comfortable both at centre-back and right-back, he is known for his physical strength, pace and excellent reading of the game. In attack, particularly from set pieces, his aerial ability makes him a constant threat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Internationally, Diakite has represented France at U16, U18, U19 and U21 levels but is yet to make his senior debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Comfortable both at centre-back and right-back, he is known for his physical strength, pace and excellent reading of the game. In attack, particularly from set pieces, his aerial ability makes him a constant threat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zabarnyi is Bournemouth's fourth major defensive sale this summer after the exits of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who left to join Arsenal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n