Official Newcastle United announcement as Guinea international midfielder signs

Newcastle United have released an official statement on Friday afternoon confirming the signing of Ousmane Diabaté.

The official statement beginning: ‘Newcastle United have completed the signing of Guinea midfielder Ousmane Diabaté from Turkish Süper Lig side Gençlerbirliği Ankara S.K. The 18-year-old has returned to Gençlerbirliği on loan for the 2026/27 season. Ousmane initially made the switch to Turkey in December 2025 after progressing through Académie SOAR in Guinea and made seven senior appearances across the Süper Lig and Turkish Cup.’

The teenager turns 19 later this month.

The official Newcastle United statement continuing: ‘Ousmane Diabaté has caught the eye of multiple clubs across Europe, and the midfielder continued his rise last season with a senior international debut for Guinea, featuring in a friendly against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in June.’

Ousmane Diabaté becoming the latest in an ever growing number of young players signed by Newcastle United.

Ousmane Diabaté: “From the moment Newcastle showed interest, I knew it was the kind of ambitious club I wanted to be part of. The project here is exciting, and the supporters have an incredible reputation. Feeling that energy behind me is something I’m really looking forward to. I always tried to approach every match with total commitment, working hard, giving everything, and pushing myself to improve. My aim is to grow as a player and show people what I can bring to the team. I want to help Newcastle compete at the highest level and achieving things that make the club and supporters proud.”

Newcastle United Sporting Director, Ross Wilson: “We’re very pleased to welcome Ousmane to Newcastle United. He’s an exciting talent who has already shown real potential, progressing through a strong programme in Guinea before gaining valuable senior experience in Turkey. He’s been on the radar of a number of clubs, so we’re delighted he sees his future here with us – credit to our scouting team for identifying him early and working hard to get the deal done. It was a pleasure to meet him recently. We are following his progress closely. His exposure to first-team football at such a young age, along with his recent international debut, shows the trajectory he’s on. Going back to Gençlerbirliği will give him the chance to continue the development he’s already shown while remaining firmly within our long-term plans.”

The teenager has started all three Super Lig matches of the season so far and Gençlerbirliği are joint top of the Turkish top tier on seven points with Galatasaray.

The progress of the transfer of Ousmane Diabaté to Newcastle United was covered extensively in the Turkish media last month.

Then late August it was reported in Turkey that a £3m deal had been agreed, with a guaranteed £2.7m plus another £300,000 in future add-ons.

It was also stated that Ousmane Diabaté would be staying on loan with the Turkish club but Newcastle United able to recall him in January if they decided to.

Nothing though was reported at the Newcastle United end of things, until now.

Gençlerbirliği manager Metin Diyadin had this to say at the end of last month about Ousmane Diabaté and his move to Newcastle United.

“Ousmane Diabaté was playing in the youth team. We brought him into the team and because he came from Africa, there was a contract process involved. He has very high potential. We finalised his sale to Newcastle United. He is currently playing for us on loan. He is a very mature player for his age. He has good game vision and technical ability. I think he will reach different levels as he plays more. I’m really curious how our teams [in Turkey] didn’t see this in him. We transferred him to England.”

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