Souleymane Diawara, free since his departure from Olympique de Marseille last June, is the third recruit for OGC Nice. Officially presented this Thursday at the club store, he will be the oldest player in the squad, a welcome experience in a very young group.
In less than three weeks, Souleymane Diawara will embark on his fifteenth year in the first division since his debut at Le Havre in 1998-1999. With a very impressive track record: 2 French championship titles, 4 League Cups, 3 Trophée des Champions, the new Nice recruit will bring his great experience to the OGC Nice squad.
“He is a player who loves football; he still wanted to play at a high level. He will show the way to many of our young players,” enthused coach Claude Puel.
At 35 years old, the ex-Marseille player and central defender arrives free to the red and black squad to make up for the departure of Nemanja Pejcinovic to Lokomotiv Moscow and the potential transfer of Timothée Kolodziejczak to England. The Senegalese player will compete with Mathieu Bodmer and Romain Genevois, who have been unshakable in central defense for six months.
“The club, the coach, and the sporting director were very motivated by my arrival, that counts. I spoke with Fabrice Abriel (who left for Valenciennes this summer) and he told me many good things about the club,” explains the new recruit.
Still a bit lacking physically, Souleymane Diawara hopes to be ready for the visit of Bordeaux in fifteen days. “I am still hungry for Ligue 1 and titles. I know the atmosphere is intense here in Nice, that’s why I can’t wait to start,” added the new number 20 of OGC Nice.
After the traditional press conference, he was presented to the Nice public, who came in large numbers to welcome the new eagle. A presentation “Made In OGC Nice”, Place Masséna, in front of the fountain and in contact with the crowd like the arrivals of Niklas Hult and Julien Vercauteren.
Nearly 200 supporters gathered near the fountain to get Souleymane Diawara’s autograph and a photo for the luckiest ones. A real enthusiasm that demands confirmation as early as Saturday evening for the first day of Ligue 1, with Nice facing Toulouse at the Allianz Riviera (9 PM).
