Ibrahim Diabate has completed a loan move from Swedish side GAIS to LaLiga outfit Deportivo Alavés in a deal that runs from 2026-02-02 to 2026-06-30. The Ivorian centre-forward joins the Spanish club on a temporary basis, with the transfer confirmed as a loan transfer and no permanent option stated in the available information.
The switch takes Diabate from the Allsvenskan to Spain’s top flight, marking a fresh opportunity in one of Europe’s leading leagues. Alavés secure a 26-year-old striker whose current market value stands at €1.50m, reflecting a sharp rise over the past few seasons and underlining the status he built at GAIS. At the end of the loan, he is scheduled to return to the Swedish club, meaning his medium‑term future beyond that date remains open and could yet involve another move or a potential free‑agent situation depending on his contractual status, which is not specified in the data.
Diabate’s path to LaLiga has been gradual rather than explosive. Born in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, the right‑footed forward left ASEC Mimosas for RCD Mallorca B in Spain, gaining his first European experience in the Spanish system. From there he had a loan spell at Sevilla Atlético, then another at Atlético Madrileño, before returning to Mallorca B. That sequence of moves kept him within Spanish football’s development structures, even if not yet at the highest level.
A permanent transfer to Västerås SK in Sweden followed, taking him into Scandinavian football, where his market value began to climb. Subsequent performances earned him a move within Sweden to GAIS, where his valuation jumped from €175,000 at Västerås SK to €1m and then €1.2m, eventually reaching €1.5m while at GAIS. The escalation in value points to consistent progress, even though detailed season statistics such as goals and appearances are not provided in the data.
The confirmed loan to Alavés returns Diabate to Spanish football, this time with the chance to operate in LaLiga rather than reserve or youth competitions. It positions him as a Côte d’Ivoire international export again, moving away from the Scandinavian scene and back into a major European league, where the demands on a centre-forward are higher and the visibility greater.
With the loan agreement fixed between 2026-02-02 and 2026-06-30, the next months will be crucial for Diabate’s trajectory. Strong performances in Spain could open doors to a permanent stay in LaLiga or other top European divisions, while a quieter spell might see him return to GAIS with his long‑term future unresolved. In either case, this completed move stands as a pivotal chapter in the career of a striker whose value and profile have steadily risen across clubs and countries.
