Malian international Abdoulaye Diaby is on the verge of joining Turkish top-flight side Kasımpaşa SK following his departure from Swiss club FC St. Gallen at the end of the 2024 season.
The 24-year-old central defender, currently a free agent, has reached an agreement with the Istanbul-based club and is expected to arrive in Turkey in the coming days to finalise the transfer.
Diaby, who previously plied his trade in Switzerland, Hungary, and Belgium, is preparing to embrace a new chapter in the Turkish Süper Lig.
His move to Kasımpaşa comes after two seasons with St. Gallen, where he gained valuable experience and developed a reputation as a reliable presence at the heart of the defence.
Negotiations between Diaby and Kasımpaşa had been ongoing for several weeks, with both parties reportedly satisfied with the terms of the deal.
The Istanbul club, which secured a mid-table 10th-place finish in the 2024/25 Süper Lig campaign, is keen to bolster its backline with the addition of the Malian defender.
Having already experienced top-level football in multiple European countries, Diaby is expected to bring composure, strength, and maturity to a Kasımpaşa side aiming for further improvement next season.
The former Malian youth international will also be hoping that consistent performances in Turkey will help him cement a regular place in Mali’s senior national team setup.
Born in Bamako, Diaby began his professional career in Belgium with Royal Antwerp before moving to Újpest FC in Hungary.
His performances there earned him a move to FC St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League, where he gradually established himself as a first-team regular over two seasons.
At 24, Diaby now enters a crucial phase in his career, and a move to one of Turkey’s competitive leagues offers the opportunity to test himself against top opposition on a weekly basis.
With his commanding presence in defence and ability to read the game, he could prove a valuable asset for Kasımpaşa as they look to shore up their defensive line.
While the deal has yet to be officially announced by the club, Diaby’s arrival is seen as all but confirmed, pending his medical and final contract signing.
If completed, it will be a significant addition for the Istanbul outfit as they prepare for the 2025/26 season.
The Turkish Süper Lig has become an attractive destination for African talents in recent years, and Diaby’s signing is another example of the growing pipeline between West African footballers and clubs in Turkey.
For the player himself, this transfer marks another step forward in a career that has taken him across Europe and now brings him to the Bosporus, with high hopes for both personal and team success.
