Newcastle United have announced the signing of 18-year-old Guinea midfielder Ousmane Diabate from Turkish club Genclerbirligi.
The Premier League side confirmed the move on their official website, completing a deal reported to be worth €2.5m (£2.1m). Despite joining Newcastle United, Diabate will return to Genclerbirligi immediately, where he will spend time on loan.
Diabate only moved to Genclerbirligi in December 2025, having previously developed at the Guinean academy SOAR. His short spell with the Turkish club included seven first-team appearances last season, with those games coming in the Turkish league and the Turkish Cup.
The midfielder has also already made his senior international debut for Guinea. He first represented his country in June, featuring in a friendly against Northern Ireland.
Early move to European football
Diabate’s career has developed rapidly since his arrival in Turkish football. After coming through the SOAR academy in Guinea, he joined Genclerbirligi and was given the opportunity to play for their senior side during the following season.
His seven appearances for Genclerbirligi came across domestic league and cup competition. The move to Newcastle United now represents the next stage of his development, although the agreement includes a return to the Turkish club on loan rather than an immediate move into Newcastle’s first-team squad.
The transfer also adds an international player to Newcastle United’s midfield options, with Diabate having already taken part in a senior fixture for Guinea. His appearance against Northern Ireland came in a friendly in June and followed his progression into first-team football at club level.
For Genclerbirligi, the arrangement means Diabate will remain with the club after Newcastle United completed his permanent transfer. He will therefore continue his development in Turkey while remaining a Newcastle United player.
The deal was confirmed by the club through its official channels, with the 18-year-old becoming the latest young midfielder to make the move from the Turkish game to Newcastle United. The €2.5m fee was paid to Genclerbirligi for the transfer.
Diabate’s route to Newcastle United has taken him from the SOAR academy in Guinea to senior football in Turkey and then to international football with Guinea. His immediate return to Genclerbirligi on loan will allow him to continue playing for the club where he made seven first-team appearances last season, while Newcastle United retain his registration following the agreement.