Sunderland complete club-record signing of Senegal international Habib Diarra

The 21-year-old Senegal international arrives on Wearside following a standout campaign in Ligue 1, where he featured in 30 matches to help Strasbourg secure a seventh-place finish and UEFA Conference League qualification under Liam Rosenior.

Though born in Senegal, Diarra came through the French youth system and made his senior debut for Strasbourg in 2021 after progressing through their academy. Since then, he's grown into a dynamic presence in midfield, catching the attention of clubs across Europe.

Having earned promotion to the top flight via the Championship playoffs in May, Sunderland moved swiftly to land Diarra, completing the deal after the player passed a medical on Saturday.

The deal is reported to be worth an initial 31.5 million euros, rising to 35.5 million with add-ons - breaking the club's previous transfer record set just last month when Enzo Le Fee joined permanently from Roma.

Diarra has also made an impact on the international stage, making his debut for Senegal in March 2024 and notching four goals in just 11 appearances for coach Pape Thiaw's side.

The Black Cats' aggressive recruitment drive is a clear sign they intend not just to survive, but to thrive in the Premier League - and Diarra could prove central to that vision. 

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