Bournemouth signs defender Baafode Diakite for £34 million

• Bournemouth has signed Baafode Diakite for five years.
• The defender transferred from Lille for £34.6 million.
• Diakite will replace Ilya Zabranov, who recently moved to PSG.

Bournemouth has finalized a deal with French defender Baafode Diakite, who transferred from Lille for £34.6 million sterling.

The 24-year-old footballer signed a contract for five years, becoming the second most expensive transfer in the club's history. The initial sum of the deal is set at £30.3 million, with possible add-ons up to £4.3 million.

Diakite played 31 matches last season in League 1 and also made 10 appearances in the Champions League. His signing comes in response to the loss of key defender Ilya Zabranov, who recently transferred to Paris Saint-Germain.

Bournemouth also lost other defenders, such as Milosh Kerkez and Din Huysen, which significantly impacts the team’s lineup.

This transfer underscores Bournemouth's strategic approach to strengthening the defense following a series of sales.

Tags: Sport/Football/English Premier League