Ivorian forward Ibrahim Diabate returns to GAIS after Deportivo Alaves loan spell

Ivorian striker Ibrahim Diabate will return to Sweden after Spanish side Deportivo Alavés decided not to retain him following the expiration of his loan spell.

The La Liga club officially confirmed the forward’s departure on June 19, bringing an end to his short stint in Spanish football after arriving from Swedish outfit GAIS during the winter transfer window earlier this year.

Diabate joined Alaves in February 2026 hoping to establish himself in one of Europe’s top leagues, and the 26-year-old managed to make a positive contribution during his time in Spain. He featured in 10 La Liga matches during the 2025–2026 campaign and scored two goals for the club.

One of the standout moments of his spell came on 13 May 2026 when he found the net against FC Barcelona, a goal that further highlighted his attacking qualities on one of the biggest stages in world football.

Despite showing flashes of promise, Alaves have opted against making the move permanent, meaning the Ivorian forward will now head back to GAIS, where he remains under contract until December 2028.

Diabate’s return represents a boost for the Swedish club, who regain a striker with valuable experience from one of Europe’s elite leagues. His time in Spain is also expected to enhance his development and confidence ahead of the next phase of his career.

The Ivorian attacker will now look to continue his progress in Sweden while aiming to attract further interest from clubs across Europe in the future.