Al-Qadsiah sign Ivory Coast defender Ali Badra Diabate from Samsunspor for €8m

Ivory Coast defender Ali Badra Diabate has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah from Turkish club Samsunspor in an €8m transfer.

The 19-year-old centre-back has signed a contract running until 30 June 2030 after switching leagues on 4 September 2026. Diabate, who was born in Abidjan, is 1.90m tall and left-footed.

He moves to Saudi Arabia after making two appearances for Samsunspor in the Super Lig this season, playing 180 minutes. He started 67% of his side’s possible matches and completed 67% of the available minutes before leaving the club.

Diabate joined Samsunspor from Leader Sporting on 2 January 2026 in a deal worth €100,000. His time at Leader Sporting followed a loan spell with Jong Genk, which began in September 2025 and ended in December of the same year.

The move to Al-Qadsiah represents another step in the young defender’s short senior career, with the club securing a player who has already experienced football in Turkey and Belgium. His transfer value at the time of the move was €1m.

Al-Qadsiah have now completed the signing of Diabate, who will continue his career in the Saudi Pro League under a contract lasting until 2030.