Senegalese defender Fallou Diagne joins Chennaiyin FC

The 32-year-old comes with Ligue 1 and Bundesliga experience under his belt.

Chennaiyin FC have announced the signing of Senegalese defender Fallou Diagne ahead of the upcoming season.

Diagne’s most recent stint was with Albanian outfit KF Vllaznia where he played under Chennaiyin’s new boss Thomas Brdaric. He won the Albanian cup in 2021-22.

Speaking on the first new foreign signing for the club this season, Chennaiyin FC co-owner, Vita Dani 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.”  

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Diagne made his debut for Metz as a 19-year-old in 2009, going on to make 99 appearances including a loan spell in the 2017-18 season. He has amassed 78 appearances in Ligue 1 including 37 appearances for Stade Rennais FC between 2014 and 2016.

The Senegalese international also made 65 appearances for SC Freiburg between 2011 and 2014 including 57 Bundesliga matches and three appearances in the Europa League. The 6’1 centre-back has scored 16 goals in his career so far.

“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,” Brdaric said of the club’s latest addition.

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The defender has earned three caps for reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal, including one appearance in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia where he played alongside Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane.

Ahead of his first stint in India, Diagne said, “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.”

Chennaiyin FC's preparations ahead of ISL 2022-23 season

The Marina Machans have been quite busy in the transfer market with multiple new signings and exits. Chennaiyin FC have signed top young talents like Vincy Barretto, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Monotosh Chakladar, Jiteshwor Singh, Sourav Das, Gurmukh Singh, Akash Sangwan and Sajal Bag. The club have also roped in the veteran Mohammed Rafique for the upcoming season.

While their been new arrivals, Chennaiyin FC released all six of their foreigners from last season. Only Rafael Crivellaro, who missed the last season, has been retained. Domestically, the club have bid adieu to goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Germanpreet Singh, Davinder Singh and Deepak Devrani.

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