Assane Diao Diaoune (born 7 September 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Como. Born in Senegal, he is a youth international for Spain.
Club career
Betis
Diao is a youth product of Badajoz, Flecha Negra and Balón de Cádiz, before moving to the youth academy of Real Betis in 2021, on a contract until 2024.[3] Originally a midfielder, his attacking skills led to him being molded in to a left winger, and he started playing with the reserves in the Segunda Federación in 2022.[4]
On 26 July 2023, Diao extended his contract with the club until 2027.[5] He made his senior and professional debut with the Verdiblancos as a late substitute in a 1–0 Europa League loss to Rangers on 21 September 2023.[6] Later that month, on 28 September, he scored his first goal on his La Liga debut in a 1–1 away draw against Granada.[7] A week later, on 5 October, he netted his first goal in European competitions in a 2–1 victory over Sparta Prague.[8] On 7 December, after coming on as a substitute, he scored his second La Liga goal, a 90+4' equalizer in a 2-2 draw against FC Barcelona.
Como
On 7 January 2025, Betis announced Diao's transfer to Italian Serie A side Como 1907.[9][10] The fee was reported at around €12 million.[11]
International career
Born in Senegal, Diao moved to Spain at the age of three and has dual citizenship. He played for the nation's under-19 team at the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[4]
Style of play
Originally a midfielder, Diao is a strong, and powerful winger who is great at crossing the ball. Primarily right-footed, he is strong with both feet. He has a powerful technique, and strong heading ability.[12]
Personal life
Diao has a twin brother, Ousseynou, who is also a youth footballer in Spain.[12]
Career statistics
- As of match played 7 February 2025[13]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Betis B | 2022–23 | Segunda Federación | 20 | 4 | — | — | 20 | 4 | ||
| 2023–24 | Segunda Federación | 5 | 2 | — | — | 5 | 2 | |||
| Total | 25 | 6 | — | — | 25 | 6 | ||||
| Betis | 2023–24 | La Liga | 18 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7[a] | 1 | 28 | 4 |
| 2024–25 | La Liga | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8[b] | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| Total | 28 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 47 | 6 | ||
| Como | 2024–25 | Serie A | 6 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 59 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 78 | 15 | ||
- ^ Five appearances in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League.
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
Honours
Spain U19
References
- ^ "Assane Diao causa impacto en el Real Madrid". Estadio Deportivo. 22 May 2023.
- ^ "Assane Diao -". en.realbetisbalompie.es.
- ^ Carbonero, Javi (30 March 2023). "Assane Diao: la reconversión en delantero del último canterano que se ha entrenado con Pellegrini". ElDesmarque.
- ^ a b Hall, Andy (6 July 2023). "Liverpool and Leipzig circling for Betis pearl Diao". Diario AS.
- ^ "La mejor noticia posible con Assane Diao". Estadio Deportivo. 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Assane Diao, un debut valiente". ABC de Sevilla. 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Granada 1-1 Real Betis: Boyé y Diao dejan en tablas un entretenido partido en el Nuevo Los Cármenes" (in Spanish). OneFootball. 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Real Betis 2-1 Sparta Prague". ESPN. 5 October 2023.
- ^ "El Real Betis y el Como 1907 llegan a un acuerdo para el traspaso de Assane Diao" [Real Betis and Como 1907 reach an agreement for the transfer of Assane Diao] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ Ariadi, Nana (7 January 2025). "Como 1907: Official Club Statement". Como 1907. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "Official: Como sign 19-year-old Diao from Real Betis". Yahoo Sports. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Alerta en el Betis por Assane Diao". Estadio Deportivo. 29 March 2023.
- ^ Assane Diao at Soccerway
- ^ "2024 Under-19 EURO final: Spain 2-0 France". UEFA. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
External links
- Assane Diao at BDFutbol
- Assane Diao at LaPreferente.com (in Spanish)
- Assane Diao at Soccerway
- Assane Diao at WorldFootball.net