Bamba Dieng has found his new destination. After the failure of his transfer to Lazio, the Senegalese forward has signed with Red Star Belgrade. The Serbian club officially announced his arrival on August 21. A free agent after leaving Lorient, Dieng signed a two-year deal, with an additional year in option.
The story was nonetheless eventful. His transfer to Lazio fell through after the medical examination in Rome, with the tests raising questions about his knee. A few days earlier, a move to Amedspor had also fallen apart. Red Star then carried out its own examinations before confirming the deal.
A bounce-back rather than a step back
On paper, leaving the prospect of Serie A for Serbia may look like a step backward. From a sporting standpoint, however, the choice deserves to be seen differently.
Dieng is coming off a successful season with Lorient, with 15 goals in all competitions. He now joins a club used to European nights, which just beat Viktoria Plzeň 3-0 in the Europa League play-off.
At 26 years old, the Senegalese striker mainly needs continuity, confidence and playing time. Belgrade can offer him all three.
Trained at Diambars, having played for Marseille and then Lorient, Dieng also remains an important player to watch for the Lions. The arrival of Patrick Vieira opens a new cycle for the national team, and competition up front is expected to be fierce.
The Lazio episode now belongs to the past. It is up to Dieng to respond on the pitch: scoring, stringing together performances and turning Belgrade into a springboard.
Red Star may not be the big club Dieng hoped to join this summer. But it could become the one that relaunches his career.
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