Pape-Alioune Ndiaye: Kairat Almaty linked with Tobol Kostanay defender

Pape-Alioune Ndiaye, a French-Senegalese centre-back at Tobol Kostanay, has been linked with a move to Kazakhstan Premier Liga rivals Kairat Almaty.

The 28-year-old joined Tobol from Turkish club Sanliurfaspor on a free transfer in February 2024 and has established himself as a regular in Kazakhstan’s top flight. He has made 25 Premier Liga appearances this season, providing two assists.

Ndiaye has also featured in all four of Tobol’s UEFA Conference League qualifying matches this campaign, while starting the Kazakhstan Super Cup victory. He was part of the Tobol side that won the competition in 2023-24 and 2025-26, and also helped the club lift the Kazakhstan Cup in 2024-25.

The defender is listed with a market value of €500,000 and is under contract with Tobol until 31 December 2026. A transfer to Kairat would therefore represent a move between two clubs competing in the same domestic division.

Ndiaye began his senior career in Europe before spells with Vorskla Poltava, SCR Altach and Sanliurfaspor. He was born in Nanterre, France, and stands 2.03 metres tall.

The reported link comes with Ndiaye continuing to play a significant role for Tobol during the 2026 season, but no transfer has been confirmed.