Bournemouth Signs Bafodé Diakité From Lille As Zabarnyi Replacement

‎Bournemouth completed the signing of Bafodé Diakité from Lille on a five-year contract on Wednesday, making the defender the club’s second-most expensive signing ever.

‎Although no exact figures were confirmed, British reports stated the deal was around €35m plus up to €5m in add-ons. It would make it Bournemouth’s second-largest signing after the £40.2m spent on Evanilson last year.

‎Diakite links straight up with Andoni Iraola’s squad, who face Liverpool in the Premier League season opener on Friday evening at Anfield.

‎He will wear the number 18 shirt for the Cherries.

‎The 24-year-old netted 13 goals in 112 appearances for Lille. He appeared in 48 matches last season, recording four goals.

‎Diakité helps shore up the defense after Dean Huijsen left for Real Madrid and Illia Zabarnyi moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

‎”I know the coach has great ideas, which enable us to play well in the Premier League,” the centre-back said in a statement.

“Now I’m at the club, it’s a good opportunity to show how I can help the team going forward.”

‎”I’m 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.”

‎Bournemouth ended last season in ninth place in the Premier League, matching their best-ever finish in England’s top division.