Madiodio Dia has completed a permanent move from Norwegian side FK Haugesund to Portsmouth FC, signing a contract that runs from 2026-02-02 to 2029-06-30. The 22-year-old Senegalese centre-back joins the English club from the OBOS-ligaen outfit for an undisclosed fee, with his current market value listed at €500k.
The transfer takes Dia out of Norway’s second tier and into the English system, where Portsmouth are competing in the Championship. The deal ends his spell with Haugesund, who had initially brought him to Europe from ASC La Linguère de Saint-Louis in Senegal. His switch to Portsmouth means he will now be based in England rather than in his home country, further consolidating his status as a Senegalese defender building his career abroad.
Dia’s rise has been steady since leaving ASC La Linguère de Saint-Louis for Haugesund in 2023. Standing at 1.90 m and operating primarily as a central defender, he was sent on loan to Egersunds IK in 2024, gaining valuable experience in Norwegian football before returning to Haugesund later that year. That development period coincided with a sharp increase in his valuation: from €50k across late 2023 and much of 2024 to €400k by mid-2025, €450k in early autumn, and eventually €500k by the end of 2025.
Those repeated revaluations at Haugesund reflect how the club viewed his potential and performances. While detailed seasonal appearance and goal figures are not provided, the consistent upward trend in his market value through multiple assessments suggests he established himself as a key defensive asset in Norway prior to Portsmouth stepping in. His time split between Haugesund and Egersunds IK ensured he experienced both a top-club environment and a loan spell where regular minutes were prioritised.
Moving from the OBOS-ligaen to a Championship club places Dia in a more visible and competitive environment. Portsmouth, long-established in English football, are operating in a league widely regarded as one of the most demanding second tiers in Europe. For a 22-year-old centre-back still early in his professional journey, that platform offers a significant opportunity to accelerate his development and broaden his profile beyond Scandinavia.
From a contractual perspective, the move locks Dia into Portsmouth through to 2029-06-30, providing medium‑term security for both player and club. It also confirms that he will not be becoming a free agent at the end of his Haugesund spell; instead, his next career phase is already defined within the English game. Having previously played in Senegal and Norway, he now adds England to the list of countries in which he has competed.
For Senegal, the transfer adds another young defender to the growing contingent of players gaining experience in major European leagues. For Portsmouth, it represents an investment in a physically imposing, right‑footed centre-back whose value has been on a clear upward trajectory. If Dia adapts quickly to the pace and physicality of the Championship, this step could prove decisive in shaping his long-term career, opening doors to higher levels of club competition and strengthening his reputation on both the domestic and international stage.
