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RB Leipzig have signed defender Abdou Diallo on a one year loan deal from French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back will be with the Red Bulls until the summer of 2023.
The French-born player came through the ranks of AS Moncao, which is where he gained his first professional experience. He then secured a loan move to Belgian side Zulte Waregem, before moving to 1.FSV Mainz 05 in July 2017. After one season and 30 matches for FSV, the defender joined Borussia Dortmund, where he played 38 matches. He then moved to PSG in 2019.
The 26-year-old has won nine domestic titles in Paris, including league and cup doubles in 2019/20 and 2020/21. He was also in the squad for the 2020 UEFA Champions League final against FC Bayern Munich.
He was part of the PSG side that beat RB Leipzig 1-0 in the group stage of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League. He also played against RBL for Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
Abdou Diallo played for France from the U-16s all the way to the U-21s, but decided to represent Senegal as a professional. He made his debut for the country on March 26, 2021.
In February 2022, he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and he played all seven matches for his country. He scored in the 3-1 win over Burkina Faso in the semifinal and successfully converted his penalty in the final against Egypt.
RB Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell said, “After the injury to and the long-term lay-off for Lukas Klostermann, it was clear that we had to do something to strengthen the defence. In Abdou Diallo we have managed to sign a player who, as well as being able to play all three positions in a back three, can also play left-back. Abdou is strong in duels and at heading the ball, quick, good in build-up and brings a lot of experience with him. He is a great character, so he will be able to integrate into the team quickly. With his signing we now have a really balance squad in all areas of the pitch.”
RB Leipzig’s commercial director for sport Florian Scholz said, “Overall, we are looking back at a successful transfer window in our view, both from a sporting and economic perspective. With our contract extensions, as well as incoming and outgoing transfers, we have worked towards and implemented our combined aims. With the signing of Abdou Diallo, we are now well set up to deal with the many intensive weeks of multiple games across three competitions. Abdou knows the Bundesliga from his time at Mainz and Dortmund and will be able to integrate quickly. We are optimistic that we will be able to achieve our goals with this team and the quality that we have.”
Abdou Diallo said, “I know RB Leipzig and the playing philosophy of the club well from games against them with Mainz, Dortmund and PSG. I am looking forward to becoming a part of an already strong team and now being able to run out at the Red Bull Arena in a RBL shirt. It is nice to be back in the Bundesliga. RB Leipzig has big ambitions and a lot of potential – a great challenge and an exciting season lie ahead of both me and us.”
