Ibrahima Mbaye is close to completing a return to Italian football, with the 30-year-old Senegalese full-back on the verge of signing a one-year deal with Serie C side Team Altamura.
The former Inter Milan defender, who has been without a club since his departure from Romanian outfit CFR Cluj, is expected to finalise the agreement shortly, according to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb.
His agent, Giuseppe Accardi, confirmed the advanced state of negotiations, describing the move as a chance for the player to reignite his career.
“We’re close to reaching an agreement,” Accardi said. “It’s the ideal place for Ibrahima to get back on track. This opportunity could be key for him to put himself back in the spotlight.”
Mbaye’s stint with CFR Cluj was short-lived and ultimately unfulfilled, as he failed to make a single official appearance during his time in Romania. Since leaving the club in early 2023, the Senegalese defender has been searching for the right environment to rebuild momentum in his professional career.
Now, that opportunity appears to have arrived in the form of Team Altamura, a club competing in Group C of Italy’s third-tier league, based in the southern town of Altamura in the Puglia region.
Although this will mark Mbaye’s first experience in Serie C, the defender is no stranger to Italian football. He amassed 142 Serie A appearances across spells with Inter Milan, Livorno, and Bologna.
His most significant run came with Bologna, where he played both in Serie A and Serie B between 2015 and 2022. Known for his versatility and physical presence on the right flank, Mbaye once stood among Senegal’s most promising exports to European football.
In addition to his club experience, Mbaye has been capped at international level, representing Senegal’s senior team and being part of several squad selections during his peak years.
His potential return to regular football, even in the lower tiers of Italy, is seen as a step forward after an extended period of inactivity.
Team Altamura, who continue to build towards a more competitive campaign in Serie C, view Mbaye’s experience and pedigree as valuable assets. For a club aiming to punch above its weight, the signing of a player with top-flight experience represents a notable coup.
While the deal is yet to be formally concluded, all signs point to a completed transfer in the coming days. Should the move go through, Mbaye will bring not only a wealth of top-level experience but also a hunger to prove that his playing days at a high level are far from over.
As he prepares for this next chapter, the former Inter youth product has the chance to redefine his narrative—starting with a return to familiar territory in Italy, albeit on a different stage.
