Aliou Dieng: Valencia sign Mali midfielder on free transfer from Al Ahly

Valencia have signed Mali defensive midfielder Aliou Dieng from Egyptian champions Al Ahly on a free transfer. The 28-year-old moves to the LaLiga club with a current market value of 3m after his latest spell in Cairo, bolstering Valencias options at the base of midfield ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Dieng joins after a long association with Al Ahly, having first arrived there in 2019 from MC Algiers and developing into a key figure in defensive midfield. He returned to the Egyptian Premier League side in May 2025 following a loan stint at Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood, and remained with Al Ahly until completing his switch to Spain on 7 July 2026.

The Bamako-born midfielder, who stands at 1.84m and is right-footed, is primarily deployed as a holding player in front of the back four. His profile as a specialist defensive midfielder offers Valencia a dedicated option in that role as they strengthen for domestic competition in LaLiga.

Diengs move to Mestalla marks his first transfer into a top European league after building his career in North and East Africa and the Middle East. He progressed from Djoliba AC in Mali to MC Algiers in 2018, where his performances quickly increased his market value and earned him a move to Al Ahly the following year.

Over successive seasons in Algeria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Diengs valuation rose from six figures into the multi-million euro bracket, peaking above his current 3m level during his prime years at Al Ahly. His free transfer to Valencia therefore represents a low-cost addition in relation to his established market valuation.

With the deal completed, Dieng begins the next phase of his career as part of Valencias midfield group for the 2026-27 LaLiga campaign.