RoundGlass Punjab sign former Mohun Bagan ace Papa Babacar Diawara

The Senegalese forward scored 10 goals in 12 appearances to help the Mariners win their second Hero I-League title.

RoundGlass Punjab FC have announced the signing of star Senegalese forward Papa Babacar Diawara for the rest of the season. Diawara was instrumental in Mohun Bagan’s victory last season — he scored 10 goals in 12 appearances to help the Mariners win their second Hero I-League title.  

Diawara, who hails from Dakar, Senegal, started his career at local club ASC Jeanne d’Arc and signed up with Portuguese club Maritimo when he was just 19. He soon came into the limelight because of his goal-scoring abilities and several European clubs tried to poach him from Maritimo. He cracked a four-and-a-half-year deal with La Liga club Sevilla FC during the January transfer window of 2012. 

He opened his account for Sevilla FC against Atletico Madrid and scored another two goals against Rayo Vallecano. Later, he played for La Liga clubs Levante and Getafe before finally coming back to his old club, Maritimo, in the 2015-16 season. He scored 48 goals and had 21 assists over five seasons there. After spending one-and-a-half years in Portugal, he joined A-League champion Adelaide United FC. He played 20 matches for the club over three seasons and scored six goals and had two assists. He featured in the AFC Champions League as well for Adelaide United. 

Meanwhile, RoundGlass Punjab FC released Brazilian defender Danilo Quipapá on mutual consent. The Club wishes Danilo all the best for his future and appreciates him for the time he spent in Kolkata over the last two-and-a-half months. 

Diawara has arrived in Kolkata and will be in quarantine for seven days before joining the training with the squad. His arrival has no doubt strengthened the RGPFC team. 

An excited Diawara said, “I'm feeling great about joining RoundGlass Punjab FC. I strongly believe that we have the team to win the title.” Head Coach Curtis Fleming too expressed his happiness, saying: “It’s brilliant to have him on board. He is a fantastic player and knows the league very well. We were working on this transfer for a while and it feels great to sign a player like him.”