Bio

Ousmane Diakité’s attributes provided a welcome boost to Albion's midfield options for the 2024/25 season. 

Oussie made his debut as a substitute on the opening day of the new campaign against QPR in August 2024, before making his maiden start in the Carabao Cup v Fleetwood Town later that month. 

Diakité soon had more good news since his move to England, after receiving a first call-up to the Mali senior squad for their September internationals. 

The defensive midfielder, who stands at 6ft 2in, is an African Cup of Nations U20 winner with his native Mali and joins the Baggies hoping to kickstart a successful chapter during his maiden campaign in English football. 

Born in Africa’s eighth largest country, Diakité’s initial steps in the game came at local side Yeelen Olympique. But it was clear opportunities further afield were going to be pivotal to fulfilling his potential in the game - something which Austrian giants RB Salzburg were willing to offer in 2018.

On a personal note, it turned out to be a memorable year for Ousmane who, after agreeing terms with Salzburg the day after his 18th birthday, was thrown straight into senior football during a loan spell at FC Liefering. 

In addition to making his professional bow for the Austrian second division club during the same month his move to Europe was made official, the midfielder’s maiden campaign saw him rack up 19 appearances and net his first senior goal. 

Further success followed on the international scene with Mali’s U20s in February 2019. With experience in the under-17s already under his belt, Diakité helped his nation’s youth team make history - featuring in their run to a first-ever African Cup of Nations triumph. 

As a result, teams in Austria’s Bundesliga were keen to see what the midfielder could do. SCR Altach agreed to give the Malian his first exposure to the country’s elite tier in 2019, before a move to Switzerland at St. Gallen in 2021 further enhanced Ousmane’s footballing education. 

Stints in two different countries' top divisions boosted his numbers close to 50 senior outings by the age of 21, which set him up for the most progressive spell of his career back in Austria when he departed Salzburg permanently for fellow top-flight club TSV Hartberg in February 2023. 

Overall, Ousmane made 49 appearances over one-and-a-half years at Stadion Hartberg, bagging two goals as they secured a play-off finish at the end of the 2023/24 season. 

Now, the Mali youth international is set for his first term working under Carlos Coberán in a move which sees Diakité become the third Malian to play for the Albion after Sékou Berthé and Bakary Sako. 

And the powerful midfielder’s arrival also boosts the Baggies’ African representation in the current playing squad, joining Semi Ajayi (Nigeria), Josh Maja (Nigeria) and Grady Diangana (DR Congo).