Le Mans FC add Senegal international Habib Diallo to attacking options

Le Mans FC have confirmed the signing of Senegal striker Habib Diallo from FC Metz on a contract running until 2029.

Diallo, 31, will bring extensive top-level experience to the French club’s squad and will wear the number 13 shirt. The forward becomes Le Mans’ latest attacking addition after ending his latest spell with Metz.

A familiar figure in French football, Diallo has made 175 Ligue 1 appearances for Metz and RC Strasbourg, scoring 57 goals. His most productive campaign came in 2022-23, when he found the net 20 times for Strasbourg and ranked among the division’s leading scorers.

The Senegal international began his development at Generation Foot, the renowned academy in Senegal that is linked to FC Metz. He subsequently signed his first professional contract with Metz in 2015 and helped the club win Ligue 2 in 2019.

Across his different spells with the club, Diallo scored 52 goals in all competitions for Metz. His return to the Moselle side now comes to an end as he begins a new chapter with Le Mans.

Diallo has represented Senegal since 2018 and has won 40 international caps, scoring nine goals for the Lions of Teranga. He was also part of the Senegal team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.

Le Mans will hope his finishing ability and experience can strengthen their squad as the season progresses. The striker is valued at €4m by Transfermarkt, although no transfer fee has been given for his move from Metz.

His arrival comes with Le Mans preparing to face OGC Nice in the third round of the French championship. The fixture is listed as an upcoming meeting between the two clubs, with 1xbet’s published odds putting OGC Nice at 1.69 to win, a draw at 3.70 and a Le Mans FC victory at 4.40.

Diallo’s career has already taken him from Senegal’s Generation Foot academy to the top flight in France and the international stage. He now joins Le Mans with the club expecting his record in front of goal to translate into a significant contribution for his new team.

The forward’s previous campaign with Strasbourg, when he scored 20 Ligue 1 goals, remains the clearest indication of his attacking impact. His record across Ligue 1, Metz and the Senegal national team gives Le Mans an experienced option as they look to compete with their latest signing under contract until 2029.