Bournemouth has signed Bafode Diakite from Lille on a five-year deal, making the defender the second most expensive signing in the club’s history.
While no financial details were disclosed, British media reported that the fee was €35 million (£30 million) plus €5 million (£4.2 million) in add-ons, making it the second highest transfer after the £40.2 million Bournemouth paid for Evanilson last year.
Diakite will join Andoni Iraola’s squad, who are set to face Liverpool in their Premier League season opener on Friday evening at Anfield. He will wear the number 18 shirt for the Cherries.
The 24-year-old scored 13 goals in 112 appearances for Lille, playing 48 matches last season and netting four goals.
Diakite helps to fill the gap left by the departures of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Illia Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain.
“I know the coach has great ideas that will allow us to perform well in the Premier League,” the centre-back stated. “Now that I’m at the club, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase how I can contribute to the team going forward.”
“I’m a defender who enjoys having the ball and playing with it, and I hope to demonstrate my qualities both with and without it. I will give my all for the team, and I look forward to creating great moments together.”
