Club Brugge have completed the signing of 19-year-old Franco-Senegalese winger Mamadou Diakhon from Stade de Reims, securing the youngster on a four-year deal worth around €8 million.
The Belgian giants confirmed the move on Monday, describing Diakhon as a signing for both the present and the future. The teenager, who broke into Ligue 1 at just 17, leaves Reims after two full seasons in senior football, where he gained a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in French football despite the club’s struggles.
Diakhon made his professional debut during the 2022/23 campaign and quickly adapted to the demands of top-flight football. Over the course of two seasons, he featured in 51 matches for Reims, registering six goals and two assists. His progress came in testing circumstances, with the Champagne side suffering relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of last season.
Despite that setback, Diakhon’s performances ensured he attracted considerable interest from abroad. Club Brugge moved decisively to win the race for his signature, seeing him as an ideal fit to strengthen their attacking options.
On the international stage, Diakhon first caught attention in French colours. Representing the under-18 side in March 2023, he marked the occasion by scoring against Germany.
He has since stepped up to the French under-20 squad, earning four caps so far. However, his Senegalese heritage remains central to his identity, and he has openly spoken of his desire to represent the Lions of Teranga at senior level when the opportunity arises.
At Jan Breydel Stadium, Diakhon joins a squad already strengthened significantly during this transfer window. He becomes Club Brugge’s fifth arrival of the summer, following the signings of Aleksandar Stankovic, Nicolo Tresoldi, Carlos Forbs and Ludovit Reis. Managerial staff are confident his pace, direct play and versatility on the wings will help compensate for the departure of Chemsdine Talbi, who joined Sunderland earlier in the window.
The move marks an important step in Diakhon’s career, giving him the platform to compete for regular European football. Brugge, one of Belgium’s most successful clubs, are aiming to mount a strong challenge domestically and make a statement on the continental stage.
For Diakhon, the chance to establish himself in a team accustomed to winning could accelerate his development and push him closer to senior international recognition.
For Reims, the deal represents both a financial boost and the departure of one of their academy’s most promising graduates. Having nurtured his talent from youth level, the club had hoped to build around the winger, but relegation and growing interest from abroad made his exit all but inevitable.
Diakhon’s arrival has been warmly received by Brugge supporters, who are eager to see how quickly he adapts to Belgian football. His combination of youthful exuberance and high-level experience is expected to provide immediate impact, while his long-term potential suggests he could become a central figure in the club’s plans for years to come.
As the transfer window edges closer to its conclusion, Club Brugge have once again demonstrated their intent to blend established talent with emerging stars. For Mamadou Diakhon, the journey from Reims to Bruges offers the chance to write the next chapter of a career already marked by early promise and ambition.
